Upon one wild and windy night–
Woo-oo, woo-oo, Woo-oo, woo-oo–
We, Jacks, our lanters all did light–
The Wind– it surely knew– FOR–
Whistle and whistle– and whist! Now, list!
Woo-oo, woo-oo, Woo-oo, woo-oo–
Whirling and twirling, with turn and twist,
The wind– it softly blew.
It was the creepiest, scariest night–
Woo-oo, woo-oo, Woo-oo, woo-oo–
We held our breath, then lost it quite,
The wind– it surely knew– FOR–
Whistle and whistle– and whist! Now, list!
Woo-oo, woo-oo, Woo-oo, woo-oo–
Whirling and twirling, with turn and twist,
The wind– it loudly blew.
It rose in all its main and might,
Woo-oo, woo-oo, Woo-oo, woo-oo–
It blew out every single light!
The wind– it surely knew–OH–
Whistle and whistle– and whist! Now, list!
Woo-oo, woo-oo, Woo-oo, woo-oo–
Whirling and twirling, with turn and twist,
That wind– it laughed “Ho oh!”
Credits
Unknown writer is the attributed author of this poem, meaning its true origins have been lost to time. "Jack-O-Lantern Song" belongs to a tradition of anonymous Halloween verse — rhythmic, performative poems designed to be recited aloud, where the sound of the words is as important as the meaning. Its onomatopoeic refrains suggest it may have been written for group or theatrical recitation around the Halloween season.
