Halloween Songs [1]

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 09:07 AM

Somebody started to post the lyrics to Fred Penner's Goblin song. Wish i could remember all the verses (they were spoken if I remember correctly) but I still remember the whole chorus

They all had goblin heads
Covered with goblin hair
and goblin eyes, ears, nose mouth
stretching from north to south BLEAH!

And with their goblin brains,
they could spell their names
G O B L I N G-G-G Goblin

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,Bobbi Jo
Date: 16 Oct 07 - 10:00 AM

Does anyone know the lyrics to the Halloween song "Pumpkin Head Harvey" I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere!!

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Genie
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 08:23 PM

I just heard a great new version of Widdecombe Fair last night. It's not in the DT, but this one is:

Widdecombe Fair

Subject: Lyr. req. The Wobblin' Goblin
From: Genie
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 07:51 PM

I'd love to have the full lyrics to "The Wobblin' Goblin" (as mentioned by the guest of the same name).

Subject: Lyr Add: LADY MARGARET (from Peggy Seeger)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 05:58 PM

1. Lady Margaret sitting in her own lone home,
Alone, O all alone,
When she thought she heard a dismal cry,
She heard a deadly moan.

2. "Is it my father Thomas?" she said,
"Or is it my brother John?
Or is it my love, my own dear Willie
Come home to me again?"

3. "I am not your father Thomas," he said,
"Nor am I your brother John;
But I am your love, your own dear Willie,
Come home to you again."

4. "Then where are the red and rosy cheeks
That even in winter bloom?
And where are the long and yellow hair
Of the love I lost too soon?"

5. "The ground have rotten them off, my dear,
For the worms are quick and free;
And when you're so long lying in your grave,
The same will happen thee."

6. He took her by the lily-white hand
And begged her company;
He took her by her apron band,
Says, "Follow, follow me."

7. She took her underskirts one by one
And wrapped them above her knee,
And she's over the hills on a winter's night
In a dead man's company.

8. They walked, they walked to the old churchyard,
Where the grass grow grassy-green:
"Here's the home where I live now,
The bed I do lie in."

9. "Is there any room at your head, my love,
Is there any room at your feet?
Is there any room about you at all
For me to lie down and sleep?"

10. "My father is at my head, dear girl,
My mother is at my feet,
Upon my heart are three hell-hounds
Bound my soul to keep.

11. One is for my drunkenness
And another is for my pride,
And one is for promising a pretty fair girl
That she should be my bride."

12. She took the cross from all on her bosom
And smoted him on the breast,
"Here's your token I kept so long:
God send you a happy rest."

13. "Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight, my love,
Farewell, dear girl," said he;
"If ever the dead may pray for the living,
My love, I'll pray for thee."

Child #77
from the singing of Peggy Seeger, Blood and Roses II, from
Newfoundland. But where from? It's close to Greenleaf's
version (1930 in 10 verses), but clearly not her source.
Nor is it in Peacock, though it's a lot closer. MacEdward
Leach prints another fine set, from Labrador. JB
@ghost @death
filename[ WILIGHO2
JB

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 04:18 PM

please what are the lyrics to the song that goes like this...jack o'lantern burns his candle out on a windy night.....I don't understand these streads when I clicked on the song on google it took me here and I cant find the song tho.

Subject: Lyr Add: SEVEN YEARS OLD (Jenifer Underwood)
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 26 Aug 07 - 05:58 PM

I still do this, written by a dear old friend over thirty years ago...


The scariest story that's ever been told,
is about the wee boy, only seven years old old;
for he never got hungry or even grew cold;
he never got tired, nor ever grew old;
but stayed all forever only seven years old.

He was seven years old when their house was a new-un;
he was seven years old when it fell into ruin.
He was seven years old was Robert was ten;
he was seven years old when Bob was an old man.

He was seven years old when Sonia was born,
and seven years old when her vows they were sworn;
he was seven years old when Ruth came along;
he was seven years old when poor Ruth was undone.

He was seven years old when Ruth had Melissa;
and seven years old when Melissa had Tricia.
He was seven years old when Trish killed the old clown;
and he was seven years old when they sent Tricia down.

He was seven years old when his parents were hale,
he was seven years old when they grew old and frail.
He was seven years old when at last they turned grey;
he was seven years old when they lay in the clay.

He was seven years old when he saw the seed fall;
he was seven years old when the tree grew up tall;
he was seven years old when the tree touched the sky;
he was seven years old when it rotted and died.

He was seven years old when there were plenty about;
he was seven years old when there was no-one in sight.
He was seven years old when the earth it was young;
he was seven years old when it crashed into the sun.

He was seven years old when it came to and end;
he was seven years old when it started again.

(Miss Jenifer Underwood, aged 13, December 1976; to be sung to the tune of Long Lankin; with sincere apologies to Edward Gorey)

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 07 - 12:21 AM

Guest, you can buy it for $6 on Peter's website at http://petermayer.net/sheetmusic/

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 07 - 03:28 PM

old hipple can you please send me the tab to john's garden ....my email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 07:06 PM

I am still looking for a song by Peter Mayer Called "John's Garden." If anyone has the tablature I would greatly appreciate it. Please email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 10:07 PM

does anyone know the lyrics to when witches were waltzing?

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,jim
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 02:11 PM

I'll admit to just skimming the preious entries, so please forgive me if someone already mentioned Mike Smith's Panther in Michigan.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: kendall
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 03:38 PM

A poem by Robert Frost titled "The Witch of Coos" aka "The night the bones came up the cellar stairs."

Subject: Lyr Add: HALLOWEEN (Violet Jacob)
From: oggie
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 12:52 PM

Listening to Jean Redpath and I came across this, words by Violet Jacob (who lost her son at The Somme) music by Jim Reid.

Hallowe'en

The tattie-liftin's nearly through, they're plooin' whaur the barley grew
And efter dark roond ilka stack you'll see the horsemen stand and crack
O Lachlan, but I mind on you

I mind fu' aften we hae seen ten thoosand stars keek doon atween
The naked branches, and below baith fairm and bothy hae their show
A-low wi' lichts o' Hallowe'en

There's bairns wi' guys that's at their tail cloorin' the doors wi' runts o' kail
And fine you'll hear the screechs an' skirls o' lassies wi' their drucked carles
Bobbin' for aipples i' the pail

The bothy fire is loupin' heat, a new heid-horseman's kist is set
Richt's o'er the lamp whaur by the blaze the auld yin stood that kept yer claes
I cannae thole tae see it yet

But gin the auld folks' tales are richt an' ghaists cam hame on Hallow'n nicht
Oh freend, oh freends what would I gie tae feel yer axe yer hand tae me
Atween the dark an' coral licht

Awa' in France across the wave the wee lichts burn on ilka grave
An' you an' me their lowes hae seen, ye'll maybe hae yer Hallowe'en
Yont whaur you're lyin' way the lave

There's drink an' daf an' sang an' dance an' ploys an' kisses get their chance
But Lachlan, man, the place I see is whaur the auld kist used tae be
An' the lichts o' Hallowe'en in France

All the best

Steve

Subject: Lyr Add: ON THE NIGHT OF HALLOWE'EN (A Smethurst)
From: GUEST,Welsh Granny
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 07:23 AM

no-one has mentioned the song "On The Night Of Hallowe'en" written by Norfolk singer-songwriter Allan Smethurst aka The Singing Postman:

The dialect is a bit hard to write down,and I hope it is understood

Some folks say by the light of the day
They don't believe wha's true
That ghosts will roam, far from their home
And the witches make their brew
Dew you go where the lights are low
They don't seem quite so keen
And they dont dare go anywhere
On the night of Hallowe'en.

Now we all go down to the old Churchyard
I dust you go inside
You're not far from the old hall beyond
Where the headless horsemen ride
The you prick those doors seven times
And I know that you will scream
When the devil pops his head out the top
On the night of Hallowe'en.

Ghosts don't like nobody
They all make awful cries.
They weep and moan, grunt and groan
And they don't like exorcise
See them walk through the castle walls
As though there's nuthin' between
So don't you stray too far away
On the night of Hallowe'en.

Now we all know Shuck, he's a rare old dog
He likes to prowl around
Waiting for, down on the shore
The master who was drowned.
His hair is black,
His teeth are red
His eyes oh how they gleam
If he gets you
It's toodle-oo
On the night of Hallowe'en!

I have it on mp3 if anyone would like to hear it.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 01:47 PM

Reque
I've been looking for these halloween songs for ever. We used to march around in a big circle on the Sara elementary school blacktop playground in Richmond Ca. It had to be around 1970 but the songs were much older. I can vaguely remember "Pumpky Pumpkin" and another song that had versus that ended with "...it's halloween. It's halloween". I would march arownd a schoolyard dressed as a scarecrow just to find these songs again. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 09:41 PM

Does anyone have the tablature to John's Garden by Peter Mayer?
I would really like to work on it as it is my favorite Halloween song as well....please email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 08:45 AM

Does anyone have the words for Who Were the Witches?
We heard Roy Palmer sing it about 16 years back.

chorus:
Who were the witches, where did they come from
Maybe your great, great grandmother was one,
Witches are wise, wise women they say,
There's a little witch in every woman today.

Or something like that. But not the Greenham Common version - that's a bit different.
Robyn

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 05:51 AM

How about 'Allison Cross' as sung by Lizzie Higgins and also Elspeth Cowie? Hallowe'en, when the seelie court rides.

Subject: Lyr Add: OLD MOLLY METCALFE (Jake Thackray)
From: GUEST,DS
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 01:33 AM

I suggest _El Tejano_, _Qeho's Trail_, _Brushy Bill Roberts_ and _The Lost Belle Mackeever_ on the following CD [http://tinyurl.com/y4n98j] by Jim Pipkin a.k.a. "Trooper" Gahar.

Then there's _Old Molly Metcalf_;

Old Molly Metcalfe
Words & Music: Jake Thackray

Old Molly Metcalfe counting sheep
Yan tan tether mether pip she counted
Up upon Swaledale steep and bleak
Yan tan tether mether pip she said.

Grow little sheep come hail come snow / Yan tan...she counted
Fine warm wool for a gentleman's shoulderblades / Yan tan...she said.

Over the heather when the weather is cold / Yan tan...she counted
Stiff Molly Metcalfe goes bow-leggedly / Yan tan...she said.

Grow little sheep, come wind come rain / Yan tan...she counted
Fine warm wool for a lady's counterpane, / Yan tan...she said.

On her back in the bracken with frozen bones / Yan tan...she counted
Daft Molly Metcalfe singing alone / Yan tan...she said.

Grow little sheep, come death come dark / Yan tan...she counted
No such wool for Old Molly Metcalfe, / Yan tan...she said.

There's a fantastic introduction to this song at

http://tinyurl.com/yfxcr9

All this is available at http://tinyurl.com/yndj62

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,WOBLIN GOBLIN
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:43 AM

THe Woblin Goblin with the broken broom could never fly too high

cuz everytime hed take off another piece would break off and soon he would be danglin in the sky

Each evening just as he would leave the ground, his radio would say

"control tower to goblin: your broomsticks a woblin, you better make a landing right away"

It soon got so he could only ride when the witches took him piggyback, until one day he used his brain, and bought himself and airo-plane!

so if you look for him on halloween, you'll see him zip and zooooom, no harm can befall him, no longer can they call him, the woblin goblin with the broken broooooom.

I remember this song from when I was in elementary school, years ago, in mrs. mirros music class, haha they were good days =D

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 06:57 PM

The lyrics given by Judith Bard are those of our family's version of, "The Old Woman All Skin and Bones." Most USA kids know it because it's now in almost every elementary music book in the country. I recorded it on a very early record (in the '50s?), and recently it has been recorded by Raffi. When I sing it in concert nowadays, all the kids eyes light up and they help sing the chorus- but they still jump at the shouted "BOO!" at the end. Trick is to hold off a few moments so that they don't know when it's going to happen. I'm an old lady now, but it's still the best Halowe'en song I ever heard!
My Mom made up a verse; Granny Catty contributed another. There are two more verses not given by Bard.

OOO-OOOO=OOOO-OO- BOO! Have a great scary Halowe'en!!!    Jean

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Elettra
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 01:10 PM

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
The first one said, "O my, it's getting late!"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air!"
The third one said, "But we don't care!"
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"
The fith one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
WOOOOOOOO went the wind,
And OUT went the lights,
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Learned this in grade school many moons ago, complete with hand motions. Don't forget Jim Malcolm's epic recording of "Tam O'Shanter".
E.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 03:17 PM

Don't know if anyone else is interested, but I'm all excited because I just remembered a couple more lines:


They had goblin [something],
And goblin [something],
And goblin eyes, ears, nose and mouth,
Stretching from north to south - BLAH!
With their goblin brains,
They could, etc.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 03:59 AM

There's a great song by the Canadian kids' entertainer, Fred Penner - think it's just called Goblins. Haven't listened to it since my big six-foot bruiser was a little two-foot toddler, but it has a sing-along chorus in which the various horrifying features of the goblins are listed - the tension mounts to the last lines:

With their goblin brains,
They can spell their names:
G-O-B, L-I-N,
G-g-g-goblins!

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,Wobblin' Goblin
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 11:30 PM

As a youngster, I had a copy of this on (I believe) a 45rpm. The flip side was Pumpky Pumpkin. I don't remember the person who sang it, but it was similar to Rosemary Clooney (or that time period).

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,Zach
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 09:22 PM

i remember it! thanks for posting it, i've been trying to remember the lyrics lol

Subject: Lyr Add: AGNES AT HALLOWEEN (recitation)
From: GUEST,Steve-Cooperator
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 11:09 AM

Not traditional, not even a song
from 1987


Agnes At Halloween

I'll tell you the story of Agnes
Who lived in a small council flat
In the famed country village of Acton
Though not many people knew that.

She fancied a milkman called Horace
Who went on his rounds every day.
He'd leave her a pint of the gold top
And merrily go on his way.

She longed for each Saturday morning
When Horace at her doorbell would ring,
But when she tried to ask for his favours
She just asked for a carton of cream.

No, Agnes was fast getting nowhere
And something just had to be done,
For her doorstep encounters with Horace
Didn't seem to be very much fun.

So Agnes, she thought for a while
About what the plan it should be.
'I know, I'll think I'll try witchcraft
Which should prove quite fruitful for me.'

So she went off in search of a witch club
To help win the heart of her dear,
But whoever she asked, everyone said,
'There ain't no witch clubs round 'ere!'

So she went to the village of Soho,
Which was already noted for sin,
And saw, on the door, a large notice:
'Witches required, enquire within.'

Now Agnes had joined a witch club
In the center of old London Town.
She went to a neighbouring witch shop
To purchase her white silken gown.

Agnes just couldn't wait to try witching
And hurriedly cast off a spell,
But as hard as she tried, nothing would work
'Cos she never could spell very well.

Her next thought was to try out a potion
To help win her own true love's heart.
She'd invite Horace in for a cuppa.
Well, that might just do for a start.

So on Saturday, she made him a nice cup of tea
And popped in the potion quite quick,
But instead of making him feel randy,
He felt quite horribly sick.

Now Agnes was nearly past trying,
As with each try her hopes they were dashed,
Till she got from the coven an invite
To attend of their Halloween bash.

So Agnes, she plotted her master plan,
One that she knew could not fail:
On a sweet scented letter wrote: 'Go to Hyde Park.
Be there twelve o'clock on the nail!'

The letter it gave clear instructions.
What he should do was wrote down:
'Go to the bridge on the Serpentine.
I'll be wearing a white silken gown.'

Horace's heart was now captured
By the sweet scented letter she wrote.
He'd go to the park and find Agnes,
And stuck in his pocket the note.

At twelve o'clock there stood Horace,
But Agnes' plan had a hitch.
There were hundreds of witches in white silken robes
And he couldn't tell which witch was which.

Now Agnes' plan had backfired
As once more her hopes they were blighted,
For in spite of her hours of scheming
He lust was still quite unrequited.

So for all of her covenly planning
She has to make do with once more
The occasional carton of cream
And her daily gold top by the door.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 06:47 AM

And this song by Micca

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 06:41 AM

Martinmas Tide

is also Halloween.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,Peri Alkas
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 10:12 PM

Yes, that is my favorite song! We always sung it in a round in grade school. I was trying to teach my son the lyrics, and found your post! Now if only I had the sheet music.. .

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,IBO
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 07:12 AM

THE MONSTER MASH

Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN'S GARDEN (from Peter Mayer)
From: GUEST,oldhippie
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 08:53 PM

I think my favorite halloweeen song is "John's Garden" recorded by Peter Mayer on his CD Million Year Mind

JOHN'S GARDEN

Farmer John wandered back
And when he reached the pumpkin patch, began to speak
He said "the weather's getting colder
Summer's over and its almost Halloween
That's the day, the reason you were raised
When everything about your life will change

You will have eyes to see, and for that night, you'll be
A bright lamp burning in the darkness
But remember that candle shines for only the briefest time
in a jack-o-lantern's heart

The pumpkins held a meeting then
Some were very apprehensive and afraid
"Could this really happen to us?
What would be the meaning?" is what they were saying
"This is home, it's all we've ever known"
Then one bold, outspoken pumpkin spoke

He said
"I don't need eyes to see, it sounds like a lie to me
I like it just fine here in John's garden
And remember that candle shines for only the briefest time
in a jack-o-lantern's heart"
There is much to ask and to ponder in the pumpkin patch
When imposing old October shows up at last

Then a pumpkin from the farther end
Who had been silent up til then
Over the commotion, said
"What would you rather have my friends
A chance to shine, or die here on the vine?
The better way seems very plain to me

You will have eyes to see, and for that night you'll be
A bright lamp burning in the darkness
And maybe that candle shines for only the briefeat time
in a jack-o-lantern's heart
Oh, but one goblin's smile should make it all worth while
You know you might even see the starlight
And knowing that time is brief, makes it that much more sweet
When you have a jack-o-lantern's heart".

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:41 PM

the singing postman, On the Night of Halloween, Alan Smethurst was up there with the best of them.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Cats
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 10:21 AM

Try Reynardine and just sing the vowel sounds in one chorus. That's really spooky! Last year Jon Heslop, Mike O'Connor and I did 31st October for some tourists from the USA who were looking at Cornwall's myths and legends. What a night.. we were in a hotel in Tintagel on the north Cornwall coast, with a storm raging outside and we did a whole range of local stories and songs.. and yes, I did Tam Lin as well. This year on the 31st, Mike and I are performing Spirit in the Storm the story of Joan Wytte the witch from Bodmin who ended up as an exhibit in the Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle, back in Bodmin. Try his amazing song that goes with it. What's even more frightening is that the whole story and song are true.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 03:13 AM

TAM LIN ,.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: open mike
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:33 AM

woo hoo i hope we can add to this between now and Samahain,
Day of the Dead, halloween, all souls day, etc.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Suffet
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 11:50 AM

You're invited to the First Annual…

HALLOWEEN HOOT!
Round Robin Folk Songfest

Come celebrate Samhain (pronounced sow-in)
the traditional Pagan New Year

with

MACDOUGAL STREET RENT PARTY
Joel Landy • Eric Levine • Anne Price • Steve Suffet • Gina Tlamsa

plus special guest artist HILLEL ARNOLD

Sunday • October 29, 2006 • 7:00 PM

The Baggot Inn
82 West 3rd Street
between Sullivan & Thompson
Greenwich Village • New York City

$5 cover. For information, please call 212-477-0622

You're in for one helluva good time!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: captainbirdseye
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 07:47 AM

Jim Garrett,wrote a songcalled The Annual Convention Of The Ghosts.It is wonderful.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,Smee
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 11:23 PM

Another verse of "the worms crawl in, the worms crawl out"

Never laugh when a hearse goes by,
You will be the next to die.
They wrap you in a big white sheet,
And throw you down about 6 feet deep.
The worms crawl in,
The worms crawl out,
The worms play peek-a-boo on your snout.
Your head falls off,
Your tummy turns green.
Stuff comes out like whipping cream.
You spread it on a piece of bread,
And that's what you eat when you are dead!

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 07:16 PM

Bringing Mary Home

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 05:29 PM

I've used Tom Chapin's Ghost of Bleak House with 3rd and 4th graders. It's a story song that can be done as a play, a "singer's theater" as opposed to a "reader's theater". The tune is based on Funeral March for a Marionette (or Alfred Hitchcock's theme)

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Stewart
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 11:36 PM

The Green Lady is in the DT along with a midi tune. This is a very spooky song in keeping with the Halloween spirit. Ooooh....

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 11:22 PM

HILLBILLIES IN A HAUNTED HOUSE as performed by The Austin Lounge Lizards. More funny than spooky.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: GUEST,When witches were waltzing
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 10:08 PM

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Bard Judith
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 12:58 AM

On the subject of the Erlkonig: far too many Grimm fairy tales and Froud illustrations - not to mention Oberon from the marvelous black and white version of 'Midsummer Night's Dream', and I suppose a sprinkle of Bowie as the Goblin King in 'Labyrinth'- has given me a very clear picture of the 'elfking'.    Obviously Dark Court / UnSeelie / Drow ... well, whatever tongue you speak, not one of the 'nice elves'.

I suppose for you more modern folk, he could be played very effectively by Hugo Weaving as a cross between Agent Smith and Elrond!

----------------------------------

On a completely different note: someone asked, way back at the beginning of this thread, for the 'Old Woman all Skin and Bones' and I didn't see the complete lyrics posted yet!

So:

(sung on five notes, eerily)

There was an old woman all skin and bones
(oooo, oooo, oo oo!)
She lived down by the old graveyard
(oooo, oooo, oo oo!)
One night she thought she'd take a walk
(oo, etc.)
She walked down by the old graveyard...
She saw the bones a-laying about...
She went to her closet to get a broom...
She opened the door, and

(shouted loudly) BOO!


Another oldie from my mother:

Black and gold, black and gold,
Nothing in between
When the world turns black and gold,
Then it's Halloween!

Jet-black cats with golden eyes,
Shadows black as ink,
Firelight burning in the dark,
With a yellow wink.

Black and gold, black and gold,
Nothing in between
When the world turns black and gold,
Then it's Halloween!

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: moongoddess
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 07:39 PM

Here's one from my childhood that I have o an old 78 record.

Trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat for Halloween.
Better treat us right or overnight your little red house turns green.
We can yell, ring your bell, keep you up the whole night through.
And if you want your gate to circulate, we can do that, to!

It was on a red Peter Pan record and it might have more verses, but I can't remember them.

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Tradsinger
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 02:28 PM

This has been mentioned before but not in full. It's sung on just 3 notes, repeated, viz abcb abcb, etc

(sing in a deadpan 'ghostly' voice)
A lady stood at the churchyard door oo-oo-oo-oo aa-aa-aa-aa
Where 2 women had stood before , oo etc

She saw three corpses carried in oo etc (same every verse)
Two were fat and one were thin

The worms crawled in the and worms crawled out
They crawled in thin and they crawled out stout

The worms crawled out and the worms crawled in
All were fat and none were thin

(drop voice to barely audible)
The lady to the corpses said
Will I be like you when I'm dead?

The corpses to the lady said....YES!

That usually scares the audience. Puts the willies up me.

Gwilym

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: The Walrus
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 01:59 PM

I've only skimmed the thread this time around, but I don't remember seeing mention of "The Vampire Rag"

Some more suggestions (some may already appear) - some lighter than others:

The Cruel Mother
The Wife of Usher's Well
The Davil and The Baliff (Devil & Baliff McGlynn)
The Cockerham Devil
Unquiet Grave
The De'il's Awa' (wi' t'Excise man)
The Devil's Progress ["one day into the country, a merry devil went").

Any use?

W

Subject: RE: halloween songs
From: Jenny S
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 01:41 PM

Not strictly hallowe'en maybe, but The Lyke Wake Dirge sends appropriate tingles down my spine.