Thanksgiving Profile: Over the River and Through the Woods

Another profile for Thanksgiving! This one takes you over the river and through the woods. However, unlike the traditional song, you’re not going to dinner on a sleigh…but on your mountain bike over four rolling hills! Four rolling hills will amp up your appetite for the big dinner that awaits you. But unlike the traditional song, you won’t be going there on a sleigh; rather, you’ll be on your mountain bike trudging through the woods over four rolling, steep hills.

The original traditional Thanksgiving Song was written as a poem in 1844 by Lydia Maria Child.

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.

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!

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!