Happy Thanksgiving & Fall Break!

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