[Intro] Once upon a damp black night when the moon wore a crooked grin, there were kids who loved Halloween more than anything in the world [Instrumental Break 1] (Pizzicato strings, spooky organ, sliding theremin) [Verse 1] Jack-o'-lanterns stayed up all year, orange grins in every hall. Candy corn in coffee tins, paper bats on every wall. They wore witch hats to breakfast, slid on masks at bedtime's cue. If October had a pulse, it beat right through them too. [Pre-Chorus] They said, "Give us one more scream, one more spin through the dark." They said, "Knock that careful feeling down, let the shadows leave a mark." [Chorus] Halloween, Halloween, peek through the night and steal a grin Halloween, Halloween, let a little mischief in Boo for the thrill, then bolt before they see Halloween, Halloween, running wild and free [Instrumental Break 2] (Pizzicato strings, spooky organ, sliding theremin) [Verse 2] They hit the porches, quick and neat, toilet paper in the trees, plastic spiders in the cereal, fog machines at the trees They swapped the names on classroom desks, snuck fake hands in every drawer, laughed so hard at every shriek they only wanted more. [Pre-Chorus] They said, "Go on, ring the bell, let the thunder make you jump." They said, "If fear has got a face, we'll be the ones who haunt." [Chorus] Halloween, Halloween, peek through the night and steal a grin Halloween, Halloween, let a little mischief in Boo for the thrill, then bolt before they see Halloween, Halloween, running wild and free [Instrumental Break 3] (Pizzicato strings, spooky organ, sliding theremin) [Verse 3] They slipped down maple-lined streets, glow-stick smiles and sock-foot pride. Chains went clink on porch railings, grown-ups ducked and dashed inside. One had claws made out of plastic, one had fangs and one had smoke, every doorway got a little jump when those three jokers spoke. [Pre-Chorus] They said, "Hide your little breath, hide your steps and hide your charm." But the dark began to listen with a heavier, older heart. [Chorus] Halloween, Halloween, peek through the night and steal a grin Halloween, Halloween, let a little mischief in Boo for the thrill, then bolt before they see Halloween, Halloween, running wild and free [Bridge] Then the Pumpkin King came rolling out the orchard, roots and flame. Vine-crown crooked on his head, he called each kid by name. "Keep chasing every prickly thrill, keep poking at the spark— now wear my grin and carry it in every corner of the dark." [Instrumental Break 4] (Pizzicato strings, spooky organ, sliding theremin) [Verse 4] So they turned to ghosts and goblins in their moon-flecked ash and green, spooks and specters, creeps and monsters, haunting every Halloween. Their laughter rode the chimney smoke, their footsteps left no trace, and every kid who loved it too much met them in a jack-o'-face. [Pre-Chorus] They said, "We warned you, dear ones, love can open every door." Then the pumpkins all went smiling and the night came back for more. [Chorus] Halloween, Halloween, peek through the night and steal a grin Halloween, Halloween, let a little mischief in Boo for the thrill, then bolt before they see Halloween, Halloween, running wild and free [Outro] So mind the moon on October nights, and heed this tale of time long gone love the scare, but love it gently, or the dark will sing along.
