Hello
everyone –
Fall
Break begins later today at the University of Illinois, so this is the perfect
time to wish all my Quotemail subscribers a very Happy Thanksgiving with the
following Thanksgiving-themed poems that have been set to music.
“Simple
Gifts” (1848)
By
Joseph Brackett, Jr.
1.
‘Tis the gift to be simple,
‘Tis
the gift to be free,
‘Tis
the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And
when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It
will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When
true simplicity is gained,
To
bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
And
to turn, turn will be our delight,
‘Til
by turning, turning we come round right.
2.
‘Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
‘Tis
the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And
when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then
we’ll all live together and we’ll all learn to say,
Refrain
3.
‘Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
‘Tis
the gift to think of others not to only think of “me,”
And
when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then
we’ll all live together with a love that is real.
Refrain
“Over
the River and Through the Woods” (1844)
By
Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880)
1.
Over the river, and through the wood,
To
Grandfather's house we go;
the
horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through
the white and drifted snow.
Over
the river, and through the wood,
to
Grandfather's house away!
We
would not stop for doll or top,
for
'tis Thanksgiving Day.
2.
Over the river, and through the wood—
oh,
how the wind does blow!
It
stings the toes and bites the nose
as
over the ground we go.
Over
the river, and through the wood—
and
straight through the barnyard gate,
We
seem to go extremely slow,
it
is so hard to wait!
3.
Over the river, and through the wood—
When
Grandmother sees us come,
She
will say, "O, dear, the children are here,
bring
a pie for everyone."
Over
the river, and through the wood—
now
Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah
for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah
for the pumpkin pie!
“The
Lone Pumpkin” (Anonymous)
Contributed
by WLB :)
A
lone pumpkin grew on a green pumpkin vine.
He
was round; he was fat; he was yellow!
“No
silly Jack-O-Lantern shall I make,” he said.
“I’m
determined that I’ll be a useful fellow!”
So
he raised up his head when the cook came around,
And
she chose him at once as the winner!
Now
the glory of the Jack is in the candle,
On
the gatepost where his grin sits up so high!
And
the glory of the turkey is the drumstick,
But
the glory of the pumpkin is the pie!
Happy
Fall Break & Thanksgiving! :)
Rob
