Thankful for the Sound of Children Singing!
A Cornucopia of Thanks: Part 3–November, 2019
Thankful for the Sound of Children Singing!
by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
When we sing, we share notes of gratitude. When we listen to children singing, we are delighted and thankful for a variety of reasons.
The preschool where my sister–older sister–teaches in Colorado does thankfully have a music teacher; however, my sister also enjoys teaching her five-year-old students a number of songs. Mary likes to lead the little students in song as they, in a line, walk from the playground to the building and then back to their classroom. Thus, once again, I decided to write a Thanksgiving song for her very young students and for my sister as a little “thank-you gift.”
Since writing the following lyrics on November 12, I have been grateful to hear how well the song has worked for Mary and her students and to hear how much they are enjoying the singing of the song for Thanksgiving. We really do need more Thanksgiving songs. My hope is that I will be able to listen to a recording of their singing my little song; then, I will look forward to hearing my grand-nieces and grand-nephews sing the tune and lyrics with their “Mammar” near Thanksgiving Day.
Please gather around some little children and try singing the following to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush” during this Thanksgiving week.
** Please do not miss the announcement of my new–first ever–poster after the end of the song!
The Pumpkin Pie Thanksgiving Song
By Alice Jane-Marie Massa
(Dedicated to Lanie, Caden James, Harper, Emmy, Tyson, Trey,
Gracie, Emma Kay, Isabella Marie, and Ms. Mary’s students)
Who is making the pumpkin pies,
pumpkin pies, pumpkin pies?
Who is making the pumpkin pies
early in the morning?
Grandma and I made pumpkin pies,
pumpkin pies, pumpkin pies.
Grandma and I made pumpkin pies
early in the morning.
Did you put cinnamon in the pies,
in the pies, in the pies?
Did you put cinnamon in the pies
early in the morning?
Yes, we put cinnamon in the pies,
in the pies, in the pies.
Yes, we put cinnamon in the pies
early in the morning.
Are you thankful for pumpkin pie,
pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie?
Are you thankful for pumpkin pie
on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes, I’m thankful for pumpkin pie,
pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie.
Yes, I’m thankful for pumpkin pie
on Thanksgiving Day.
Are you thankful for family and friends,
family and friends, family and friends?
Are you thankful for family and friends
on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes, I’m thankful for family and friends,
family and friends, family and friends.
Yes, I’m thankful for family and friends
on Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
* * *
Announcement: Poster of My Four Leader Dogs and a Poem
Leader Dog Willow and I are beginning our celebration four months early! To mark my thirty years of working with four amazing and much loved Leader Dogs, I–with the assistance of Scott Johnson, owner and designer of Sputnik Design Works of Denver, Colorado–created a poster which features four photos (one for each of my guide dogs) and my poem “A Guide Dog’s Prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi” (posted most recently on WORDWALK on October 4, 2019). To see a photo of this beautiful 18-by-24-inch poster and to read about a special, limited offer involving my book, The Christmas Carriage and Other Writings of the Holiday Season and my new poster, please visit my author’s web page:
http://www.dldbooks.com/alicemassa/
(The special offer is not for family and friends because they will receive copies of my poster this holiday season–instead of a Christmas card.)
Sending you a cornucopia of wonderful wishes for a very “Happy Thanksgiving,”
Alice and Leader Dog Willow (who is dog-lighted to be a “poster dog”)
November 20, 2019, Wednesday
alice13wordwalk 
Well, Alice, your Thanksgiving Song is at the top of the charts at the preschool! The children really enjoyed singing your cheery song while adding gestures for rolling the dough and shaking the cinnamon. The only objection came from one little boy who does not like pumpkin pie! I assured him that he did not have to eat any pie—he just had to sing about it! He was very cooperative after that discussion. Many thanks to you for brightening our school days before Thanksgiving with such delightful music!
Best wishes for a Happy Month of Gratitude to you and Willow!
Love, Mary
Mary–Thanks for your delightful comment! Writing lyrics is satisfying, but knowing that children are actually singing the song is truly a holiday treat.
Many and special thanks to you and your students–Alice and Willow
Thank you, Alice and Willow, for the beautiful poster! The poem is lovely, and the four photos take the prize! We will enjoy the creative gift and be forever reminded of your amazing guide dogs, who have been a blessing to you with three decades of faithful service and companionship.
Love,
The Morgans
Carole and Tim–So glad to hear that you like the poster! On behalf of her three Leader Dog predecessors, Willow sends you a big “THANK YOU!”
Enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend!
Alice and Willow