DCR's Gratitude – A Song for Post-Thanksgiving Trails

 

As the Thanksgiving feast concludes and the holiday bustle subsides, many in Western Massachusetts turn to the outdoors for reflection and renewal. Inspired by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) longstanding tradition of offering free access to state parks on the day after Thanksgiving—a practice now in its seventeenth year—we have composed a new song titled "DCR's Gratitude." This piece celebrates the simple act of stepping onto the trails, from the Notch to Bash Bish Falls, to find solace amid nature's enduring landscapes.

The song captures the transition from indoor gatherings to outdoor exploration, emphasizing themes of gratitude, community, and connection to the land. It will debut at our forthcoming house concert in New Salem on December 6, 2025, and again at the Petersham Craft Center's Winter Songs event on December 14, 2025. We invite you to join us and participate in the chorus, which evokes the rhythmic pace of a shared walk.

Below are the complete lyrics for your reference, pending a formal recording:

DCR's Gratitude (© Quabbin Valley Folk, 2025)

Verse 1 The turkey’s gone and the plates are stacked, The quiet morning settles back. Folks lace boots at the break of day, Leaving all that shopping for another way. From Notch to Bash Bish, the trails invite, DCR’s calling us into the light.

Chorus DCR’s gratitude, step by step we find A little peace of heart and a quiet mind. Miles unfold beneath the pines and blue, Walking off the gravy with a grateful crew. DCR’s gratitude, carrying us through.

Verse 2 Families wander the riverside, Kids skip stones with an easy pride. Seventeen years of a simple plan, To breathe the air and feel the land. Crowds can wait, but the hills can’t stay, They whisper gently, come out today.

Chorus DCR’s gratitude, step by step we find A little peace of heart and a quiet mind. Miles unfold beneath the pines and blue, Walking off the gravy with a grateful crew. DCR’s gratitude, carrying us through.

Bridge Black Friday fades like an empty tune, But the woods ring out with another boon. A steady rhythm of boots in time, On trails that hold what we call sublime.

Chorus DCR’s gratitude, step by step we find A little peace of heart and a quiet mind. Miles unfold beneath the pines and blue, Walking off the gravy with a grateful crew. DCR’s gratitude, carrying us through.

We encourage you to incorporate this song into your own post-holiday traditions. Should you require a chord chart or wish to arrange a performance, please contact us via phone or text.

We anticipate sharing this melody with you in the near future.

— Quabbin Valley Folk