Thanksgiving long weekend is upon us, and even though the American holiday gets all the hype, with Black Friday, the flash and mega-cash of NFL football, and being so close to Christmas, it could be that we Canucks came up with it first. Kind of.
Although it wasn’t really Canada at the time, English explorer Sir Frobisher and his crew first celebrated in Newfoundland in 1578. Even considering that, Thanksgiving is still only an optional holiday on The Rock, not a stat.
The Pilgrims of Massachusetts first got their Thanksgiving on in 1621 to celebrate a bountiful harvest.
So the old “SCTV” skit DID have some validity in their CBC spoof saying ours was first (although Eugene Levy mockingly claimed that just because ours happens earlier on the calendar, we must’ve come up with it here in Canada!) Of course our Turkey Day arrives earlier with our harvest happening sooner up here in our northern climes. Many would say Americans actually brought the tradition to Canada in the 1800s, but I’m going with the Newfoundland angle.
American Thanksgiving is actually a little abnormal this year, falling as late as it does. After some confusion in the days of President FDR, it’s now always on the fourth Thursday of November.
Either way, let’s take a look at some rocking songs about giving thanks and/or Turkey Day:
Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You” – This is a moving song, even for the cynical amongst us.
Slow and heartfelt and made even more memorable after the late Chris Cornell covered it here in the Hat in our Esplanade and then included that local performance on his “Songbook” album. Check it out if you haven’t already.
ZZ Top’s “I Thank You” – This is definitely not about a Thanksgiving celebration. It’s referring to a situation much more intimate and amorous. But the title fits.
“Guess Who’s “Share The Land” – You knew there had to be some Canadian content for Canadian Thanksgiving! You can tell this one is from the hippie era with its sentiment of spreading the wealth.
Supertramp’s “Give a Little Bit” – Another one written in the idealistic bohemian/free spirited days (although it wasn’t recorded until years later.) A pretty straight forward message of positivity and co-operation from songwriter Roger Hodgson.
Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” – OK, OK, maybe this should be pumpkin pie? But this favourite from the 105.3 ROCK 5:00 Hair Appointment fits, just sub in the word “pumpkin” when singing along after your Thanksgiving dinner. No? That’s a bit of a stretch? You’ll have to forgive me, I’ve already got the long weekend on the brain.
Trapper John is on your radio weekdays from 3-7 pm at 105.3 FM and 1053rock.ca
