'Tis Halloween! Oh joyous eve,
When children do their houses leave
In costumes bright and aspects various,
In cloaks or hats, with plans nefarious -
To sally forth and doorbells ring
And each their pillowcases bring.
Their faith is high, their hope secure;
There's candy behind every door.
Their cherub faces shine with greed;
Their "Trick or treats" ring out with glee.

Oh monstrous fun! But do they know
That many many years ago,
'Twas no enjoyment or delight
That folks expected on this night.
Instead, all good men huddled near
Within their houses, faint with fear.
For witches, ghosts and all things ill,
At nightfall roamed the streets at will.
Each year on this, All Hallows Eve,
They practiced their diablerie!

Oh frightful scene! Your eyes might see
All ghouls and goblins running free;
A graveyard ball beneath the moon,
While black cloaked fiddler plays a tune.
In eerie rounds the dark things dance
And wait and hope. Ere long, perchance
Some foolish man may venture out,
In prideful ignorance or doubt.
Should that soul wander out he'll pay
A fearful price ere break of day.

Oh devlish tricks! While victims run,
They'll pluck his beard and think it fun.
They'll take his hat and tear his cloak,
And in his back their fingers poke.
Then lead him to a murky bog
And lose him in a sudden fog,
Where wailing sounds and spooky moans
Arise all round in quavering tones.
'Tis lucky man who sees the morn
With nothing worse than clothing torn.

But oh, the rest! Quite mad with fright,
Some never after seem quite right.
And worse by far are those poor men
Who ne'er on earth are seen again!
So while you wander door to door,
Gathering candy by the score,
Keep watch, my friends for darker things,
And don't forget what nightfall brings.
Remember how things used to be -
Beware tonight's diablerie!