I love this poem. I used to read it to my class about this time of year.
by James Whitcomb Riley
Little Orphan Annie’s come to my house to stay.
To wash the cups and saucers up and brush the crumbs away.
To shoo the chickens from the porch and dust the hearth and sweep,
and make the fire and bake the bread to earn her board and keep.
While all us other children, when the supper things is done,
we sit around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun,
a listening to the witch tales that Annie tells about
and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!
Once there was a little boy who wouldn’t say his prayers,
and when he went to bed at night away up stairs,
his mammy heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl,
and when they turned the covers down,
he wasn’t there at all!
They searched for him in the attic room
and cubby hole and press
and even up the chimney flu and every wheres, I guess,
but all they ever found of him was just his pants and round-abouts
and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!
Once there was a little girl who always laughed and grinned
and made fun of everyone, of all her blood and kin,
and once when there was company and the old folks was there,
she mocked them and she shocked them and said, she didn’t care.
And just as she turned on her heels and to go and run and hide,
there was two great big black things a standing by her side.
They snatched her through the ceiling fore she knew what shes about,
and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!
When the night is dark and scary,
and the moon is full and creatures are a flying and the wind goes Whoooooooooo,
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear,
and cherish them that loves ya, and dry the orphans tears
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about,
or the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!!
To wash the cups and saucers up and brush the crumbs away.
To shoo the chickens from the porch and dust the hearth and sweep,
and make the fire and bake the bread to earn her board and keep.
While all us other children, when the supper things is done,
we sit around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun,
a listening to the witch tales that Annie tells about
and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!
Once there was a little boy who wouldn’t say his prayers,
and when he went to bed at night away up stairs,
his mammy heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl,
and when they turned the covers down,
he wasn’t there at all!
They searched for him in the attic room
and cubby hole and press
and even up the chimney flu and every wheres, I guess,
but all they ever found of him was just his pants and round-abouts
and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!
Once there was a little girl who always laughed and grinnedand made fun of everyone, of all her blood and kin,
and once when there was company and the old folks was there,
she mocked them and she shocked them and said, she didn’t care.
And just as she turned on her heels and to go and run and hide,
there was two great big black things a standing by her side.
They snatched her through the ceiling fore she knew what shes about,
and the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!
When the night is dark and scary,and the moon is full and creatures are a flying and the wind goes Whoooooooooo,
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear,
and cherish them that loves ya, and dry the orphans tears
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about,
or the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!!!
There is something special about Halloween. It is a traditional holiday when we get to dress up and be someone else. And go around and beg for candy or play horrible jokes on people. I remember my students would be writing and thinking about their Halloween costumes about the middle of September. I loved it too, it was so much fun to decorate the classroom with ghosts and goblins and yes even witches. I won a prize for a costume once at a roller-skating rink here in Ames. I borrowed an old full skirt from my grandmother's antique shop and put a bear mask on and went as momma bear. (I would not dare do that now but back then no one thought anything of it.) Anyway I got a silver dollar out of the deal. And I had fun.
Sunday at Lodge we are having a family pot luck and pumpkin carving event. I think everyone likes Halloween. Thanks for stopping by.
Rev. Fred is being initiated into the Masons tonight in Arizona. Congratulations my (new) Brother. Enjoy your journey. j
1 comment:
Love that poem. Haven't thought about it in a long time. I agree about Halloween. My mother, who was deeply sad and repressed in most ways was very good at give-away holidays. I loved giving candy away more than trick-or-treating, myself. I was kind of shy, I guess. One of my friends where I am living now, celebrates Halloween the way most of us approach Christmas. It's fun to participate in his joy.
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