Do you know the origin of Halloween? Halloween spun out of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the new year! The festival was a tradition where people would wear costumes and light bonfires in an effort to keep ghosts away. The holiday was associated with death because this day marked the new harvest and beginning of the dark and cold winter. Pope Gregory III named November 1st a day to honor saints, or “All Saints Day.” The celebration of this day took some traditions of Samhain. Because of this, the night before was deemed “All Hallows Eve,” and then Halloween.
Want to learn about the “SPOOKTACULAR History of Halloween” for Children? Be sure to click HERE and learn about Jack-o-lanterns, Tick-Or-Treating, Bonfires, Witches & Cauldrons, Black Cats & Broomsticks, Bats & Spiders and Orange & Black!
One of my favorite tales from Africa is “The Giant Pumpkin” or “Feegba.” It’s on my album Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SPOOKY that covers a host of global folk tales celebrating Hallowe’en., as well as some other spooktacular songs
SPOOKY includes 18 spooky stories and songs for growing goosebumps. Ages 6 and up ONLY. Take a look at the lyrics and find more HERE
MISTER JONES’ BONES ©1996 Katherine Dines.
There’s a haunted house at the end of our street
By an old graveyard and a dead oak tree
Where mean Mister Jones was buried alive
When his cellar caved in one Halloween night,
His cellar caved in one Halloween night
NOBODY’S HOME BUT MISTER JONES’ BONES – repeat each verse
Some say his body has never been found
And his ghost still moans and wanders around
So Pete, my best friend, and I made a pact
To trick or treat there without turning back,
To trick or treat there without turning back-NOBODY’S HOME…
So, Halloween night by the light of the moon
We snuck to the house in our spooky costumes
Scared as the Devil, we stood on the porch
And dared each other to knock on the door,
We dared each other to knock on the door- NOBODY’S HOME…
There wasn’t a sound ‘cept the whisper of wind
‘Til the hinges creaked and the door swung in
We squeaked “Trick or Treat,” and Pete grabbed my arm
When a jack o’ lantern suddenly lit up the dark,
A jack o’ lantern suddenly lit up the dark- NOBODY’S HOME…
We followed that light to a big living room
With a crackling fire and orange balloons
Then we saw a ghost with glittery hair
And a skeleton rocking on a rickety chair,
A skeleton rocking on a rickety chair- NOBODY’S HOME…
The ghost passed treats from a grave on the floor
Then moaned, “Jones’ bones will show you the door!”
The skeleton stood and both of us shrieked, Ahhhhhhh!
When the mask fell off and we saw underneath:
It was my big sister playing Trick or Treat! NOBODY’S HOME…
Listen HERE
