It is November at last, and having enjoyed a nearly normal Halloween, I think many of us are looking forward to gathering in-person with loved ones for Thanksgiving. I usually post one of the two Thanksgiving favorites in November — Over The River and Through the Wood, or We Gather Together — because the holiday seems to demand these festive traditional songs! But there is another (somewhat obscure) Thanksgiving song written by the great Irving Berlin in 1912 called We Have Much to Be Thankful For that you might enjoy playing for your Thanksgiving guests this year. I love this song it because it is about gratitude, and being thankful for being alive. Click to print my simplified arrangement:
We Have Much to Be Thankful For (simplified)
If you would like to play the original sheet music CLICK HERE (pages 3-5)
I also wanted to let you know that next month I will have some exciting news about a new songbook series I will be releasing before the holidays. My editors are taking their final look at all of the sheet music, making sure I have the lyrics, chord symbols, fingering and notes all as they should be. I can’t wait to tell you about my new books! But I will wait until they are completely ready, when I am sure that all of the songs and pieces are just right.
To celebrate a month of thanksgiving, I am going to keep a gratitude journal, and I want to invite you to join me! Some people find that when they keep a gratitude journal they feel happier and less stressed in their daily lives. If you’re interested in keeping a gratitude journal, just write down 3-5 things that you’re grateful for each day, for the month of November (or even just a week or two). It can be something as basic as being grateful for having a home or a piano, or for your eyesight or hearing, as in our Irving Berlin song. Or you might write a sentence about something someone said to you that made you feel good, or the color of the leaves on the trees you see on your morning walk…. Sometimes just noticing the beauty around us can evoke feelings of joy and deep appreciation. Leave a comment with any observations you would be willing to share about how keeping a gratitude journal is affecting you this month.
I want to wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving, and I hope you stay healthy and happy throughout the season. I am deeply grateful to all of you for following my blog, and for the kind comments and questions you put forth. It’s a wonderful feeling for me to see that so many of you are clicking on and printing my arrangements; it gives my life meaning and elevates my sense of purpose. Thanks so much for meeting me here each month.
With love, music and gratitude, Gaili
Hi Gaili,
In this season of gratitude, I would like to begin by extending a word of thanks to you. Your efforts to arrange music each month at varying levels, your blog, and your tutorials are so much appreciated.
Quite some time ago, you did a three part series on chords. The part on the sevenths was THE missing link to me finally getting sevenths in my head and able to play them as though they are triads in root position!!! I love big chords and the inversions of sevenths add such richness to any piece.
A world of “Thanks”
Merci Beaucoup,
Gracias
Arigato,
Grazie,
do jeh,
Danke sehr,
Khop Khun Mak Kha,
Spasiba,
Gamsahabnida,
Takk,
Mahalo,
Toda,
Efharisto and….
THANK YOU
May your Thanksgiving be blessed,
Carol from Connecticut
Carol thanks so much for your kind comment, I so appreciate hearing that the chords posts were helpful to you. I love reading all your multinational thank yous. There are a few I couldn’t identify so I will look them up! Have a wonderful holiday. With love, Gaili