November is the month where the warm days turn to cooler evenings, and tree leaves change color – from green to crimson, then to gold, before falling gently from the branches to the ground below. Thoughts turn to honoring our veterans and a time of gather and giving thanks for all we hold dear. During this month of Thanksgiving, as you gather with family and friends, why not enjoy some lovely music that lends itself to the holiday? Here is a list of some of the best Thanksgiving songs for everyone’s holiday playlist:
- Food, Glorious Foods from the musical, “Oliver!” based on Charles Dickens’ novel, this song will make you feel more grateful for your holiday feast when you recall those poor orphans who were fed nothing more than thin gruel.
- Count Your Blessings, a tune is sweetly sung by the great crooner Bing Crosby almost sounds like a Christmas carol, yet it’s a beautiful song for the whole family to embrace all year long. It was written by Irving Berlin for the film, “Holiday Inn,” the same film in which Crosby sings another song in recognition of the holidays called “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For.”
- Thanksgiving Prayer is a simple, yet powerful song by the man in black, Johnny Cash. This moving tune was actually performed by him in an episode of the T.V. show, “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.”
- Thanksgiving Song is a lovely country classic written by Mary Chapin Carpenter and was recorded on one of her Christmas albums. This may be a tune you’ll want to play for your family every Thanksgiving Day as it’s truly loving and heartfelt.
- Over the River and Through the Woods: Now who hasn’t sung or hummed this little ditty during the Thanksgiving season? Written in 1844 by Lydia Maria Child, the song was first a poem entitled “A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day.” The song has been recorded by many artists but the best-known recordings are those performed by Danny Kaye and by the Andrews Sisters.
- We Gather Together is a beautiful Dutch hymn that made its way into American congregations as early as 1903. Many versions exist but I’m rather partial to a specific Celtic rendition.
- Thankful is a delightful, children’s Thanksgiving song written by Shawna Belt Edwards. It’s a true blessing to listen to, especially because it’s sung by children. Look it up on YouTube!
- What A Wonderful World sang by the late, great Louis Armstrong is a perfect song for any time of the year but you can’t help feeling blessed and thankful when you listen to this song.
And, just for fun, here are a few “off-beat” tunes that are too good to pass up playing before sitting down to your holiday feast: Thanksgiving Song by Adam Sandler; Do the Mashed Potatoes by James Brown, and Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Vince Guaraldi.
By Diana Blidy