Here is a lovely tradition based on a marvelous poem written by Hezekiah Butterworth (1839-1905), a devout Christian writer and speaker. This Thanksgiving tradition that will keep you focused on thankfulness in the midst of adversity.
Since our Thanksgiving tradition revolves around the story of the pilgrims first Thanksgiving Feast with the nearby Native Americans, you can remind your children of the story of the pilgrims and read this poem together. Pass out 5 kernels of corn and read this poem aloud as a family. After the reading is finished, everyone shares 5 things they are thankful for.
Five Kernels of Corn
By Hezekiah Butterworth
“Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,
The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;
Through the warm purple skies steer the geese o’er the seas
And the woodpeckers tapped in the docks of the trees;
And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,
And dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.
The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;
There were left but for rations, Five Kernels of Corn.
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
But to Bradford a feast were Five Kernels of Corn!
Since our Thanksgiving tradition revolves around the story of the pilgrims first Thanksgiving Feast with the nearby Native Americans, you can remind your children of the story of the pilgrims and read this poem together. Pass out 5 kernels of corn and read this poem aloud as a family. After the reading is finished, everyone shares 5 things they are thankful for.
Five Kernels of Corn
By Hezekiah Butterworth
“Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,
The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;
Through the warm purple skies steer the geese o’er the seas
And the woodpeckers tapped in the docks of the trees;
And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,
And dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.
The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;
There were left but for rations, Five Kernels of Corn.
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
But to Bradford a feast were Five Kernels of Corn!
“Five Kernels of Corn! Five Kernels of Corn!
Ye people, be glad for Five Kernels of Corn!”
So Bradford cried on the bleak Burial Hill
And the thin women stood in their doors, white and still.
“Lo, the harbor of Plymouth rolls bright in the Spring,
The maples grow red, and the wood robins sing,
The west wind is blowing, and fading the snow,
And the pleasant pines sing, and arbutuses blow.
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
To each one be given Five Kernels of Corn!
O Bradford of Austerfield hast on thy way,
The west winds are blowing o’er Provincetown Bay,
The white avens bloom, but the pine domes are chill,
And new graves have furrowed the Precisioners’ hill!
“Give thanks, all ye people, the warm skies have come,
The hilltops are sunny, and green grows the holm,
And the trumplets of winds, and the white March is gone,
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
Ye have for Thanksgiving Five Kernels of Corn!
The raven’s gift eat and be humble and pray,
A new light is breaking and Truth leads your way;
One taper a thousand shall kindle; rejoice
That to you has been given the wilderness voice!
O Bradford of Austerfield, daring the wave,
And safe through the sounding blasts leading the brave,
Of deeds such as thine was the free nation born,
And the festal world sings, “Five Kernels of Corn.”
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
The nation gives thanks for Five Kernels of Corn!
Ye people, be glad for Five Kernels of Corn!”
So Bradford cried on the bleak Burial Hill
And the thin women stood in their doors, white and still.
“Lo, the harbor of Plymouth rolls bright in the Spring,
The maples grow red, and the wood robins sing,
The west wind is blowing, and fading the snow,
And the pleasant pines sing, and arbutuses blow.
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
To each one be given Five Kernels of Corn!
O Bradford of Austerfield hast on thy way,
The west winds are blowing o’er Provincetown Bay,
The white avens bloom, but the pine domes are chill,
And new graves have furrowed the Precisioners’ hill!
“Give thanks, all ye people, the warm skies have come,
The hilltops are sunny, and green grows the holm,
And the trumplets of winds, and the white March is gone,
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
Ye have for Thanksgiving Five Kernels of Corn!
The raven’s gift eat and be humble and pray,
A new light is breaking and Truth leads your way;
One taper a thousand shall kindle; rejoice
That to you has been given the wilderness voice!
O Bradford of Austerfield, daring the wave,
And safe through the sounding blasts leading the brave,
Of deeds such as thine was the free nation born,
And the festal world sings, “Five Kernels of Corn.”
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
The nation gives thanks for Five Kernels of Corn!
Enjoy this poem with your family and don't forget to remind one another of the lovely spiritual heritage from the Pilgrims of Plymouth.
From our home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
With love,
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
From our home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
With love,
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
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