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IS THERE A PLAYLIST FOR THANKSGIVING?



By Amy Cassaniti


November 20, 1973 was the date for the network TV premiere of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. In the special, after attempting to prepare a non-traditional meal for his friends, Charlie Brown is finally able to invite his friends to come with him for Thanksgiving at his grandmother’s condo. The children end the episode singing the classic “Over the River and Through the Wood.” This classic song has been a staple of elementary Thanksgiving pageants since its publication in 1844, and its eventual musical adaptation (date unknown).

Here are few facts you may not know about this classic.


  1. The song uses as its lyrics the lines from a poem written by Lydia Maria Child in her book of poetry Flowers for Children published in 1844.

  2. The original title of the poem was “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day.”

  3. The child wasn’t traveling specifically to grandmother’s house. In fact, the original poem celebrated the author’s memories of visiting her grandfather’s house.

  4. The chi