The autumn leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite Thanksgiving tunes that are perfect for preschool classrooms. These songs cover classic Thanksgiving themes like family, food, and gratitude. They have kid-friendly lyrics and melodies that will have your students singing and dancing along. Music is such a great way to teach young children, and these Thanksgiving songs will help impart lessons about the history of the holiday while keeping the students entertained.
Little Pilgrim
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle Twinkle”
Little Pilgrim dressed in gray
on that first Thanksgiving Day.
Little Indian dressed in brown,
Came to visit Plymouth Town,
They both came to eat and pray
on that first Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Turkey
Original Author Unknown
I have a turkey, big and fat.
(Make a fist with one hand-thumb Out for turkey’s head)
He spreads his tail and walks like that.
(Attach “tail” by spreading Out fingers of other hand and join together)
His daily corn he would not miss.
(Poke with thumb at floor)
And when he talks, it sounds like this:
Gobble Gobble Gobble
Did You Ever See A Turkey?
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Did you ever see a Lassie”
Did you ever see a turkey a turkey a turkey
Did you ever see a turkey go this way and that
Go this way and that way and this way and that way
Did you ever see a turkey go this way and that?
Hello Mr. Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Hello, Mr. Turkey how are you?
Hello, Mr. Turkey, how are you?
His feet go wobble, wobble
And his head goes Gobble, Gobble.
Hello, Mr. Turkey, how are you?
The Turkey Song
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I’m a little turkey
Short and Fat
Thanksgiving Day is coming
Now what do you think of that?
I had better run as fast as I can
Or your mommy will roast me in a pan!
The First Thanksgiving
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle”
Pick the corn and pick the beans,
Pick the squash and other greens
It is harvest time you see
Come and share a feast with me.
Bring your family out to play,
We’ll call this Thanksgiving Day
Albuquerque Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “My Darlin Clementine”
Albuquerque is a turkey
And he’s feathered and he’s fine
And he wobbles and he gobbles
And he’s absolutely mine!
He’s the best pet you can get yet
Better than a dog or cat
He’s my Albuquerque turkey
And I’m awfully proud of that!
And my Albuquerque turkey
Is so happy in his bed
‘Cause for our Thanksgiving Dinner
We have spaghetti instead!
Turkey, Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle”
Turkey, Turkey look at you
please be careful what you do
Thanksgiving Day will soon be here
We eat turkey every year
Go and hide out in the woods
We’ll eat pizza as we should.
We Eat Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Where is thumbkin”
We eat turkey we eat turkey
Yum, yum, yum
Yum, yum, yum
Always on Thanksgiving
Always on Thanksgiving
Yum, yum, yum
Yum, yum, yum
Add other foods we eat at Thanksgiving
Five Little Turkeys
Original Author Unknown
Five little turkeys by the barn door,
One waddled off, then there were four.
Four little turkeys out under the tree,
One waddled off, then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do.
One waddled off, then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,
One waddled off, then there was one.
One little turkey – better run away!
Soon will come Thanksgiving Day.
Five Fat Turkeys
Original Author Unknown
Five fat turkeys sitting on a fence
The first one said, “Oh, my am I immense!”
The second one said, “I can gobble at you”
The third one said, “I can gobble too”
The fourth one said, “”I can spread my tail”
The fifth one said, “Don’t catch it on a nail”
The farmer came by and had to say, “Turkeys look best on Thanksgiving Day!”
A Big Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “London Bridges”
The pilgrim had a big turkey,
Big turkey, a big turkey;
The pilgrim had a big turkey
And he kept him in a fence.
A Turkey Ran Away
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Farmer in the dell”
A turkey ran away,
Upon Thanksgiving day, said he
They’ll make a roast of me
And so I will not stay.
(Continue with other Thanksgiving foods)
Turkey Dinner
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Are you sleeping”
Turkey Dinner, Turkey Dinner
Gather Round, Gather Round
Who will get the drumstick?
Yummy Yummy drumstick
All sit down, all sit down.
Cornbread, muffins,
Chestnuts, stuffing,
Pudding pie ten feet high.
We were all much thinner, before we sat for dinner!
Me, oh, my me, oh, my.
I’m a Little Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a little turkey, I like to play.
I’m very hungry, I eat all day.
When I see the hunter with his gun,
Then I know it’s time to run.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
We eat tur-key, we eat tur-key.
Oh, so good, Oh so good.
Al-ways on Thanks-giv-ing, al-ways on Thanks-giv-ing
Yum – yum – yum! Yum – yum – yum!
Second Verse: Mashed po-ta-toes
Third Verse: Pie and Ice-cream
Fourth Verse: Home-made bis-cuits
Fifth Verse: Tur-key dress-ing
One Little, Two Little…
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “One little, two little, three little Indians”
One little, two little, three little turkeys,
Gobbly, wobbly, bobbly turkeys,
hurry, scurry, worry turkey,
It’s Thanksgiving Day!
I Eat Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
I eat Turkey,
I eat Turkey.
Yes, I do
Yes, I do
Turkey in my tummy,
Yummy, yummy, yummy.
Good for me
Good for you.
I’m a Little Indian
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I’m a little Indian on the go,
Here is my arrow and here is my bow.
When I go out hunting, hear me shout-
Bear and Buffalo better watch out.
Thanksgiving song
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle little star”
Thank you, thank you, very much
For everything that I can touch..
Thanks a lot for nature’s food.
And for when I’m feeling good.
Thank you, thank you very much.
For moms and dads and friends and such.
I’m Thankful
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Row, row, row your boat”
I’m thankful for my friends and my family.
I’m thankful for the food I eat
I’m happy to be me!
Thanksgiving Song
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, twinkle little star”
Let’s be thankful for this day
For our friends and for our play
Let’s be thankful; lets be glad
For the food and things we have
Let’s give thanks for you and me
And our home and family
10 Little Turkey
Original Author Unknown
10 little turkeys sat in their pen
“Hide, turkeys, hide!” said the little red hen.
One little turkey flew far away
But the other …(9) decided to stay!
…and so on, in a similar pattern, for the rest of the song.
Thanksgiving Time
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “The Farmer in the Dell”
Thanksgiving time is here
Let’s give a great big cheer
For food and friends and family
Thanksgiving time is here.
If You’re Thankful
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “If You’re Happy & You Know It”
If you’re thankful and you know it clap your hands
If you’re thankful and you know it clap your hands
If you’re thankful and you know it
Then your face will surely show it
If you’re thankful and you know it clap your hands!
Indians and Pilgrims
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “row, row, row your boat”
beat, beat, beat the drum,
beat it loud and clear.
to tell brave Indians everywhere
that hunting time is near
cut, cut ,cut the logs,
make them long and short
to help the pilgrims build a house
a warm and friendly fort
Five little turkeys
Original Author Unknown
Five little turkeys flew up in a tree (hold up five fingers)
The first one said, “There’s a man I see” (point to thumb)
The second one said, “He’s coming this way” (point to index finger)
The third one said “It’s Thanksgiving Day” (point to middle finger)
The fourth one said “What’s he going to do?” (point to ring finger)
The fifth one said “He’s coming after you” (point to little finger)
Chop went the ax before the turkey flew away (clap hands on chop)
They all were on the table that Thanksgiving Day!
I Am Thankful
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain.”
I am thankful for my doggy and my cat
And my teddy bear so furry, soft and fat,
I am thankful for soft kittens
and my nice warm woolen mittens
And my swing set and my baseball and my bat
I am thankful for my crayons and my books
And the way our brand new baby smiles and looks,
I am thankful for potatoes
and for juicy ripe tomatoes
And for all the tasty food that mommy cooks.
I am thankful for my mommy and my dad,
They both love me whether I am good or bad,
I am thankful for the flowers
and refreshing summer showers,
All the pretty things around me make me glad.
Hush Little Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Hush, Little Baby”
Hush Little Turkey, don’t you cry,
We’ll save you some pumpkin pie.
If that pie doesn’t turn out neat,
We’ll make cranberry sauce so sweet.
If that sauce isn’t fit for a queen,
We’ll mix up some corn and bean.
If the corn and beans get smashed,
We’ll make you potatoes mashed.
If potatoes aren’t a blessing,
We’ll stuff you full of turkey dressing.
With that dressing in your tummy,
We’ll all have a feast so yummy.
Turkey Feathers
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Are you Sleeping?”
Turkey feathers, turkey feathers
Brightly colored, brightly colored
Who has a red one?
Who has a red one?
Add it now. Add it now.
Six Little Turkeys
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “six little ducks”
Six little turkeys that I once knew
Fat ones, skinny ones
There were two.
But the one little turkey with the
Funny red wattle.
He led the others with his
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
He led the other with his
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Over the rocks and through the tress,
Turkeys wobbling in the breeze,
But the one little turkey with the
Funny red wattle,
He led the others with his
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Thanksgiving Things
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Farmer in the Dell”
The turkeys in the pen,
The turkeys in the pen.
All the children come and see,
The turkeys in the pen.
The pilgrims on the boat,
The pilgrims on the boat.
All the children come and see
the pilgrims on the boat.
The Indians in the field,
The Indians in the field,
All the children come and see,
The Indians in the field.
The pumpkins in the patch,
The pumpkins in the patch,
All the children come and see,
The pumpkins in the patch.
The corn on the cob,
The corn on the cob,
All the children come and see,
The corn on the cob.
The butter in the churn
The butter in the churn,
All the children come and see,
The butter in the churn.
Little Turkeys
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “This Old Man”
Little turkeys walking by,
They can move from side to side
With a wobble here and a wobble there.
They can wobble everywhere.
Little turkeys making sounds.
They can talk as they move around
With a gobble here and a gobble there,
They can gobble everywhere
Turkey Talk
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Gobble, gobble turkey talk,
Turkeys all around,
Standing up and sitting down,
Turkeys on the ground.
Thanksgiving Time Is Here
Submitted by: Laura Flack
Sung to: “The Farmer in the Dell”
Thanksgiving time is here.
Thanksgiving time is here.
Let’s give a great big cheer
For food friends and family.
Mr. Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: Frere Jacque
Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey
Run away, run away
If you are not careful
You will be a mouthful
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Dinner song
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
Verse 1:
We eat tur-key, we eat tur-key.
Oh so good. Oh, so good.
Always on Thanks-giv-ing. Always on Thanks-giv-ing.
Yum-yum-yum. Yum-yum-yum.
Verse 2:
Mashed po-ta-toes, Mashed po-ta-toes.
Oh, so good. Oh, so good.
Always on Thanks-giv-ing. Always on Thanks-giv-ing.
Yum-yum-yum. Yum-yum-yum.
Verse 3:
Pie and ice-cream. Pie and ice-cream.
Verse 4:
Home-made bis-cuits. Home-made bisc-cuits.
Verse 5:
Tur-key dress-ing. Turkey dress-ing
Turkey Trot
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “farmer in the dell”
Do the turkey hop, do the turkey run
Do the turkey gobble
Oh its a lot of fun!
Now flap your wings,
like the turkeys do
run from the farmer
before she catches you.
Glad I’m Not a Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Have You Ever Seen A Lassie”
I’m glad I’m not a turkey,
a turkey, a turkey.
I’m glad I’m not a turkey
on Thanksgiving Day.
They’ll cook you
and baste you.
And then they’ll all taste you.
Oh I’m glad I’m not a turkey
On Thanksgiving Day!
Who Am I?
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
See my feathers colored bright,
Colored bright, colored bright.
See my feathers colored bright
What a pretty sight.
See my tummy big and fat,
Big and fat, Big and fat,
See my tummy big and fat
What do you think of that?
See my head look all around,
Look all around, all around,
See my head look all around,
For corn up on the ground.
See; me as I strut and sway,
Strut and sway, strut and sway
See me as I strut and sway
This is what I say: Gobble, Gobble, Gobble
Thanksgiving is Coming
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Are you Sleeping”
Roasted turkey, roasted turkey,
Pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie,
Thanksgiving is coming,
Thanksgiving is coming,
By and by, by and by.
Thanksgiving Song
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Jesus Loves Me”
Lord, we thank thee for this food,
Bless it to our bodies God.
Help us live Thy name to praise,
Serving thee, through all our days.
Yes, Lord, we thank Thee.
Yes, Lord, we thank Thee.
Yes, Lord, we thank Thee.
In Jesus name, Amen.
12 Days of Thanksgiving
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Twelve days of Christmas”
On the first day of Thanksgiving my true love gave to me, some dressing in a turkey.
Two baked potatoes
Three giblet in gravy
Four horns of plenty
Five golden squash
Six goblin turkeys
Seven pumpkin pies,
Eight leaves a falling
Nine pilgrims feasting
Ten crows flying
Eleven … (Couldn’t read the rest of it)
Bring Back My Turkey to Me
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
My turkey went walking on morning,
The November weather to see.
A man with a hatchet approached her,
Oh, bring back my turkey to me.
Bring, back, bring back,
Oh, bring back my turkey to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
OH, bring back my turkey to me.
I went down the sidewalk a-shopping,
The sights in shop windows to see,
And everywhere hung great fat gobblers
Oh, bring back my turkey to me.
I went out to dinner and ordered
The best thing they had I could see,
They brought it all roasted and sizzling
They brought back my turkey to me.
Brought back, brought back
They brought back my turkey to me, etc.
Thanksgiving is a Wonderful Thing
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
My uncle is eating the drumstick,
My auntie is chewing the wing,
My cousin is nibbling the stuffing,
Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing.
Chorus:
Bring back, bring back
Please bring anything left to bring
Bring back, bring back
Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing.
My daddy loves candied potatoes,
My mother, the cranberry ring,
My brother is covered with gravy,
Thanksgiving’s a wonderful thing.
The Pilgrims Came
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Yankee Doodle”
The pilgrims came across the sea,
And never thought of you and me
And yet, it’s very strange the way
We think of them on Thanksgiving Day.
We tell their story old and true,
Of how they sailed across the blue.
And found a new land to be free,
And built their homes quite near the sea.
Every child knows well the tale
Of how they bravely turned the sail,
And journeyed many a day and night
To worship God as they thought right.
Dinner Bells
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Jingle Bells”
Dashing through our food,
With a knife and fork so fast,
Corn and peas to go,
While through the throat they pass,
Into the tummy they plop,
Making growling stop,
So, oh what fun it is to eat
And eat until we drop!
Oh, dinner bells, shotgun shells.
Turkey got away
What are we supposed to do
On our Thanksgiving Day?
A Sledding We Will Go
(A Hunting We Will Go)
A sledding we will go
A sledding we will go
We’ll hold on tight and sit just right
And down the hill we’ll go
Wheeeeeeee!
Thanksgiving Time Is Here
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “This is your land”
I love the turkey.
I love the stuffin’.
I love the gravy.
I love corn muffins.
I love my family,
Gathered all together.
I’m glad Thanksgiving time is here.
Gobble, Gobble, Giggle
Original Author Unknown
I’m a little turkey here to say.
Try some beef on Thanksgiving Day.
Turkey is tough, and turkey is dry.
You really should give chicken a try!
Or how ’bout a plate of veggie delight
for a Thanksgiving dinner that tastes just right?
Mr. Turkey
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Shortnin’ bread”
I am Mr. Turkey, Turkey, Turkey.
I am Mr. Turkey, big and fat.
On my tail are feathers, feathers, feather.
On my tail are feathers-what d’ya think of that?
When I walk, I wobble, wobble wobble.
And when I talk I gobble-gobble, gobble, gobble!
Thanksgiving
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Where is Thumbkin”
Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving
Here it comes, here it comes.
Turkey on the table, turkey on the table.
MMM good, MMM good.
Cornbread muffins, chestnut stuffing,
Pumpkin pie, ten feet high.
We were so much thinner, before we came to dinner.
Me oh my, me oh my!
Turkey on the Farm
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “The Wheels on the Bus”
The turkey on the farm says, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Gobble, gobble, gobble. Gobble, gobble, gobble.”
The turkey on the farm says, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.”
Thanksgiving Day is near.
The farmer on the farm goes chop, chop, chop.
Chop, chop, chop. Chop, chop, chop.
The farmer on the farm goes chop, chop, chop.
Thanksgiving Day is here.
The turkey on the farm says, “Please help me!
Please help me! Please help me!”
The turkey on the farm says, “Please help me!”
Thanksgiving Day is here.
The children on the farm say, “Come and hide.
Come and hide. Come and hide.”
The children on the farm say, “Come and hide.”
Thanksgiving Day is here.
The wife on the farm looks all around.
Looks all around. Looks all around.
The wife on the farm looks all around.
Thanksgiving Day is here.
The people on the farm eat Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Kentucky Fried Chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The people on the farm eat Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Thanksgiving Day is here.
The turkey on the farm says, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Gobble, gobble, gobble. Gobble, gobble, gobble.”
The turkey on the farm says, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.”
Thanksgiving Day has passed.
Ha, Ha, Turkey in the Straw
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Skip to My Lou”
Turkey in the brown straw, ha, ha, ha,
Turkey in the brown straw, ha, ha, ha,
Turkey in the brown straw, ha, ha, ha.
Turkey in the straw, my darling.
Turkey in the white snow, ho, ho, ho,
Turkey in the white snow, ho, ho, ho,
Turkey in the white snow, ho, ho, ho.
Turkey in the snow, my darling.
Turkey in the blue sky, hi, hi, hi,
Turkey in the blue sky, hi, hi, hi,
Turkey in the blue sky, hi, hi, hi.
Turkey in the sky, my darling.
Turkey in the red barn, harn, harn, harn,
Turkey in the red barn, harn, harn, harn,
Turkey in the red barn, harn, harn, harn.
Turkey in the barn, my darling.
Turkey in the yellow corn, horn, horn, horn,
Turkey in the yellow corn, horn, horn, horn,
Turkey in the yellow corn, horn, horn, horn.
Turkey in the corn, my darling.
Turkey in the green tree, hee, hee, hee,
Turkey in the green tree, hee, hee, hee,
Turkey in the green tree, hee, hee, hee.
Turkey in the tree, my darling.
Turkey on the Loose
Original Author Unknown
Gobble, gobble, gobble! Flap elbows up and down like wings.
What’s all the fuss? Hand up, questioning.
Clever Mr. Turkey is hiding from us! Hands cover eyes.
Let’s look all around. Hand to brow, look around
Don’t let him get away! Shake index finger
We need that turkey on Thanksgiving Day! Pat stomach.
Another Ten little Indians
Original Author Unknown
1 little, 2 little 3 little Indians,
4 little, 5 little, 6 little Indians,
7 little, 8 little 9 little Indians,
10 little Indian boys and girls.
They jumped in a boat and the boat flipped over,
They jumped in a boat and the boat flipped over,
They jumped in a boat and the boat flipped over,
10 little Indian boys and girls.
They swam and they swam and they swam to their mother,
They swam and they swam and they swam to their mother,
They swam and they swam and they swam to their mother,
10 little Indian boys and girls.
She hugged them, kissed them, and sent them to bed,
She hugged them, kissed them, and sent them to bed,
She hugged them, kissed them, and sent them to bed,
10 little Indian boys and girls.
Little Pilgrim
Original Author Unknown
The children hold up one finger for each added pilgrim, beginning with a closed fist.
Pilgrim, pilgrim, run and play,
Where do you want to play today?
The first little pilgrim slides down the slide,
He just wants to play outside.
The second little pilgrim reads books all day,
she finds a quiet place to stay.
The third little pilgrim climbs in a tree,
she thinks it’s a neat place to be.
The fourth little pilgrim plays hide and seek,
and he soon learns that he mustn’t peek.
The fifth little pilgrim just plays with his friends,
they laugh and play until the day ends.
Five Pilgrims, Five Indians
Original Author Unknown
Five Pilgrims fish in the morn. (pretend to fish)
Five Indians help them plant corn. (pretend to plant)
The Indians bring the corn (hold up right hand)
The Pilgrims bring the meat. (hold up left hand)
Ten new friends sit down to eat. (Fold hands together)
Five Little Turkeys
Original Author Unknown
Five little turkeys
Went outside to play.
Mother said, “Be careful!
It’s Thanksgiving Day!”
The first little turkey
Didn’t even see
The Indian who was hiding
Behind the maple tree.
The second little turkey
Decided she’d better scoot
When she heard the sound
Of the little pilgrim’s boots.
The third little turkey
Went to climb a tree.
He climbed too high
And fell and skinned his knee.
The fourth little turkey
Didn’t have a care.
She went running in the woods
And saw a pilgrim there.
The fifth little turkey
Was left all alone.
He started to cry
And ran all the way home.
Thankful
Submitted & Written By: Lyndsey Baron
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
I am thankful,
I am thankful
Yes I am
Yes I am
Thank you for my mommy,
Thank you for my daddy,
And our food, and our food