What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? Food? Family? Football? Music probably isn't on your list, and yet, there is some wonderful music that can help you get in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Enjoy today's 15-Minute Thanksgiving Music Lesson, great for all ages!
Thanksgiving Music Lesson
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.
“Over the River and Through the Wood”
The number one children's song that goes with Thanksgiving is “Over the River and Through the Wood.” Do you visit your grandparents' house for Thanksgiving? Then, you'll understand the joy of this timeless poem that was written by Lydia Maria Child in 1844. The original title was “The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day.” The composer of the tune that we sing today with the song is unknown.
There are many fun books that you might want to check out from the library that use the poem as a story with fun illustrations.
Now, listen to the song here. As you listen, draw a picture of something from the song that inspires you. Is it traveling to see Grandmother on the sleigh through the woods? The cold, snowy weather? Or the pumpkin pie?
There were always two hymns we would sing for Thanksgiving at my church growing up. Have you heard these before?
“Come, Ye Thankful People Come” and “We Gather Together”
Listen to these on the next two videos, and notice the difference in style between the two hymn performances. One is with a huge choir and organ. The second is an a cappella men's group with no instrumental accompaniment. Which do you like better?
Thanksgiving Song
I love the beautiful pictures seen in this next video “Thanksgiving Song” by Mary Chapin Carpenter. As you listen try to list the things she mentions that we should be thankful for.
Count Your Blessings
And, finally, one more song which is probably not thought of as a typical Thanksgiving song. But it's a song that encourages us to count our blessings, something that we should do every day and not just on Thanksgiving Day. Listen to “Count Your Blessings” from the musical by Irving Berlin called White Christmas. As you listen, be sure to count your blessings!
(Video clip ends with a kiss if you want to end it early.)
Download a free Gratitude Page to use with this 15-Minute Thanksgiving Music Lesson Freebie on Thanksgiving:
Get the Fall Music Lessons course here:
Fall Music Lessons for Holidays & Special Days
Fun and quick music lessons for the fall season of September through November (taken from the full course Music Lessons for Holidays & Special Days)
As the holidays approach, many families find themselves listening to holiday music on the radio or streaming it online. This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! However, have you ever stopped to think about what your children are actually hearing when they listen to these songs? If you’re looking for a…
Today, I have a beautiful music lesson for you! It’s a Traditional Christmas Lessons & Carols 15-Minute Music Lesson Freebie based on the Traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The free introduction and first lesson below are from the Music of Christmas online course (where you’ll find all 9 lessons). The Festival of Nine Lessons…
Welcome to today’s Free 15-Minute Music Lesson about Music Inspired By Evergreen Trees! It’s part of our Music in Nature series. I’ve chosen some really great music for you to listen to from composers inspired by the beautiful trees that continue to give us color all year round and the reminder of “life” during a…
Raise your hand if you know what a fugue is! Today we’re going to learn all about fugues and the master composer of them in this 15-Minute Music Lesson on Bach and the Fugue. Who was J. S. Bach? Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) composed music that is synonymous with high Baroque style. In fact, the end…
Today we have a 15-minute Music of Israel Music Lesson that comes from the full online courses called World Music for Elementary and A Folk Song a Week. Music of Israel Shofar First let’s listen to a very old (from ancient times) Israeli instrument made out of a ram’s horn called the shofar. You may download…
Have you gotten any snow where you live yet this winter? It sure has been a crazy weather year. We have finally gotten some up here in northern Wisconsin. I have a fun music lesson for Wintertime for you to study with your kids. Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in…
One Comment