I chose the name “Over the River” for this blog because the view from my window is out over the Charles River. I also end up going “over the river” regularly for meetings or to see friends. I’ve noticed an uptick in people coming to the site looking for the lyrics to the song, “Over the River,” and because I’m a pretty good guy, I’ve posted a few different versions below. Happy Holidays.
Over the River and Through the Woods
Over the river and through the woods
To Grandmother’s house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the woods,
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 woods
To have a full day of play.
Oh, hear the bells ringing ting-a-ling-ling,
For it is Christmas Day.
Over the river and through the woods,
Trot fast my dapple gray;
Spring o’er the ground just iike a hound,
For this is Christmas Day.
Over the river and through the woods
And straight through the barnyard gate.
It seems that we go so dreadfully slow;
It is so hard to wait.Over the river and through the woods,
Now Grandma’s cap I spy.
Hurrah for fun; the pudding’s done;
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie.
Over the River and Through the Woods
Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru 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 thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring,
“Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the River (or Thanksgiving Day) Written By: Lydia Maria Child; Music By: Unknown
Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru 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 thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.
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!
Over the river and through the wood —
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
I always thought of this as being a Thanksgiving song so it’s interesting that the first version has adapted it for Christmas. I’ve also always heard it as, “to Grandmother’s house we go,” but except for the first version the other two both say “Grandfather’s house.” The last of the three versions, from the Department of Health and Human Services, seems the most complete and genuine since it includes the name of the woman who wrote the lyrics at least. I’ll probably just sing the first verse, over and over, the way I remember it:
Over the river and through the woods
To grandmother’s house we’ll go
The horse knows the way, to carry the sleigh
Through bright and drifting snow-o
Over the river and through the woods
To granmother’s house we’ll go
The horse knows the way, to carry the sleigh
Through bright and drifting snow
[tags]Over the River, lyrics, holiday music[/tags]
Over The River 