When I was teaching classroom music, there were 2 holidays on which we were officially allowed to do holiday music: Valentine's Day & Halloween. I always loved Halloween, & there were lots of songs to be found. But the Halloween music which I love & cherish the most is the wonderful cassette tape recording I made back in the mid-'70s. I was a choir director for the U.S. Army (my dearly departed hubby was a chaplain's assistant) & the priest was listening to some marvelous Gregorian Chant playing on his reel-to-reel. I looked over the state-of-the-art reel-to-reel (all the rage back then!) as I chatted with him, and an idea came to mind, so I asked my husband, & a couple of days later he brought me the coveted tape which I play every Halloween. No music I have ever heard is as scary as this. I asked him to record the Gregorian Chant for me--played backward, on low speed! I usually place a stereo speaker in a window facing out. It's so scary that I have often seen kids walk on the other side of the street to go past my house!
OK--here are a couple of songs the kids liked best:

OLD MISSUS WITCH

(teacher sings): Old Missus Witch
(kids echo): Old Missus Witch
Tell me what you see . . .
"I see a big pumpkin under a tree."

Old Missus Witch . . .
Tell me what you see . . .
"I see a jack-o-lantern under a tree."

Old Missus Witch . . .
Tell me what you see . . .
"I see a black cat a-looking at me."

Old Missus Witch . . .
Tell me what you'll do . . .
"I'll ride on my broomstick & I'll scare you!"


The Ghost of John
(extra fun with a blow-up skeleton in the room!)

Have you seen the ghost of John?
Long white bones with the skin all go-o-o-one.
OO-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo.
Wouldn't it be chilly with no skin on?

The same song is done for Thanksgiving with "Tom" instead of "John"
   (as in "Tom" the turkey)

Boogie Woogie Ghost
(traditional boogie-woogie accompaniment on piano!)

There was a ghost on Halloween who really made the ghostie scene,
He was the Boogie Woogie Ghost, he was the ghostie with the most,
And when the kiddies came around he'd let out with his ghostly sound,
He'd go: Boo Woo Woo--- Woo!

He'd go a spookin' late at night & giving everyone a fright,
He knew some witches, 2 or 3 & they would all go on a spree,
And when the kiddies came around he'd let out with his ghostly sound,
He'd go: Boo Woo Woo--- Woo!

Even though he was kinda spooky,
They all thought that he was kinda cool.
Even though he was a little kooky,
He was still the perfect ghoul. (AHHHHHHHH!!)

So when you're out on Halloween and he appears upon the scene,
Don't give a scream & run away, just ask him if he'll stay & play.
You'll love the Boogie Woogie Ghost, he'll be the one you dig the most.
You'll love his Boo Woo Woo--- Woo!