KEEP THE HORSE SHOE OVER THE DOOR
Over the door Pa hung his rifle and his shotgun,
and then he hung on a nail above them a bright,
new horseshoe. - 'Ma's eyes smiled into his eyes,
and he said to Laura, 'I could sing yo a song
about that horseshoe'... She brought him the fiddle
box, and he sat down in the doorway and tuned the fiddle... -- By the Shores of
Silver Lake, Chapter 30, "Where Violets Grow"
"Keep the Horse Shoe Over the Door" was written by Joseph P. Skelly and first published in 1880 by S. Brainard's Sons. Laura Ingalls Wilder included the song in both the manuscript and published By the Shores of Silver Lake, with Pa singing the song in the new shanty on the claim during the spring of 1880. As the song was copyrighted in April, 1880, it is unlikely - although possible - that Charles Ingalls knew of this song at a time when De Smet was hardly settled. It is interesting to note that the song mentions fairies and witches. The chapter in which the song occurs is the one in which Laura Ingalls describes the buffalo wallow on the claim as being a place "where fairies dance."
The horseshoe has long been a symbol of good luck. It was placed not only above the door to homes, but businesses and stables as well. Belief was that it kept witches out and protected the occupants from ill tidings.
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KEEP THE HORSE SHOE OVER THE DOOR
1. We journey along quite contented thro' life, And try to live peaceful with all. We keep ourselves free from all trouble and strife, And we're glad when our friends on us call. Our home it is happy and cheerful and bright, We're content and we ask nothing more. And the reason we prosper I'll tell to you now-- There's a horseshoe hung over the door.
[chorus] There's a rose by the garden gate, 'Tis there I linger long and late. Oh! come and meet me darling Kate, And let me call you mine.
2. The horseshoe is lucky, that's what they all say, It keeps out the spirit of wrong. It brings in the fairies at night and at day, As a guardian 'tis simple but strong. When you come home at night, it will keep you from fright, It brings to you blessings galore. Where e'er you may dwell you will always do well, When the horseshoe hangs over the door.
3. If you're starting life with a sweet little wife, And want to be happy and gay. Just get an old horseshoe to hang on the wall, And keep all the witches away. Then safely you'll sail over life's stormy seas, And land on a rose covered shore. Tho' strange it may seem, every where you will see The old horseshoe hung over the door. |
KEEP THE HORSE SHOE OVER THE DOOR (from By the Shores of Silver Lake)
We journey along quite contented in life And try to live peaceful with all. We keep ourselves free from all trouble and strife And we're glad when our friends on us call. Our home it is happy and cheerful and bright, We're content and we ask nothing more. And the reason we prosper, I'll tell to you now, There's a horseshoe hung over the door.
Keep the horseshoe hung over the door! It will bring you good luck evermore. If you would be happy and free from all care, Keep the horseshoe hung over the door.
Use the navigation bar above to listen to "Keep the Horse Shoe Over the Door." If you do not see the midi player above, click HERE to listen.
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