Once upon a Halloween, past the midnight of the day
A Nighthawk came a'swooping, then quickly fled away
The Goblins came a'creeping with their knuckles dragging ground
Their ears were listening sharply and their eyes were searching 'round
Large bare feet were dragging, hairy knees were bending low
Big boogy-eyes were bulging, great big fat tummies too
They sucked in breath quite hoarsely and snorted now and then
Smacked their lips and drooled a bit and snorted once again
The Goblins came a'creeping, a'shuffling all around
Each clutched a great big empty burlap sack, a'dragging on the ground
It was a dark and murky hour, past the midnight of the day
All good men were fast asleep, all but Andrew Clay
Outside an open window, a Goblin face was seen
Large gnarly fingers tore away the rusty window screen
Fat Goblins quickly climbed inside and lumbered over the beds
And bagged up all the occupants with sacks about their heads
They bagged up Paw Paw, Maw Maw, Uncles Frank and Benjamin
Then crept over to Mr. Kenneth's house and kidnapped all within
All the dogs were hid away, a'shaking in their skins
But, by and by, they too were found and bagged up to their chins
The Goblins came a'creeping, a'shuffling all around
Each clutched a great big heavy burlap sack, a'dragging on the ground
It was a dark and murky hour, past the midnight of the day
All the Goblins had filled their sacks, t'was time they stole away
But alas, across the hayfield, beyond a hill or two
A night light was a'glimmering, and them Goblins seen it too
They smacked their lips, sucked their tongues, and pointed in the air
Then shuffled off to Andrew's house, for he lived over there
Outside an open window, a Goblin face was seen
Large gnarly fingers tore away the rusty window screen
Fat Goblins quickly stole inside and lumbered over the beds
And captured all the occupants with sacks about their heads
They bagged up Ma and Pa, and brother Rusty where he lay
But the bottom bunk was empty 'cause Andrew Clay had stole away
Outside the dogs were hiding, shaking in their skins
But, by and by, they too were found and bagged up to their chins
A Goblin near the empty bunk was just about to go
When he spied, beneath the bed, a great big hairy toe
He hollered for his cousin Bill, who called his brother Fred
In through the window clambered Biff, and nephews Tim and Ted
Then, one by one, quite fifty more.......and last came their Uncle Jed
The fearful Goblin stammered: "I think there's a Boogy Man beneath the bed."
They each stepped back, with baited breath, hugging close against the wall
Their eyes got wide. Their knees grew weak. You might have heard a needle fall.
Until at last their Uncle Jed fell wisely onto his knees
"Mr. Boogy Man," he cried. "Please don't eat us, Please."
There emerged from beneath the bed, a trickle of water, or so it seemed
that formed a puddle on the floor and, looking close, it steamed
Oh my goodness, thought Uncle Jed, this Booger does slobber so
"Listen," said he. "I will let you eat me tooth and nail if you will let my kinfolk go."
Andrew Clay, who was beneath the bed, then bumped his head, which startled Uncle Jed
"I will sweeten that offer, Mr Boogy Man," said he. "Not only will I let you eat me, but I'll toss in Tim and Ted."
Andrew's teeth began to chatter, his shivering rattled the springs
And fifty-seven Goblins were wishing they had wings
Andrew Clay began to sob, to slobber, to bawl, and babble
And Uncle Jed, beside the bed, began to cry and quabble
Then fifty-seven Goblins began to snort and sniffle
They puffed, and rubbed their teary eyes, and began to pout and whiffle
It was Uncle jed who finally said: "Mr. Boogy Man, You win."
"We'll form a line right here and now. You can eat us all fifty-seven"
"I understand. I really do. Good food should not be squandered."
"Move over Mr. Boogy man. Your meals are coming under."
Andrew Clay let out a yell. He tossed the bunk. He knocked a Goblin over.
He tore a hole clear through the wall, and made like a bee to clover
No Goblins tried to follow him. They each stood petrified
And turned to dust, and blew away. All fifty-seven died
I am wrong. All were dead but Uncle Jed. He dropped his sack and fled
He spread the news both far and near of the Booger beneath the bed
How it had gobbled up all his kinfolk, in one great big hungry swaller
And chased him across the countryside, over hill and holler
From fifty-seven burlap sacks, folks began to crawl
To sneak back home and bar their doors, and mend their broken walls
The Boogy Man became a hero, cheered both far and wide
And feared by roaming Goblins, from ocean side to side
So always you remember, and don't go lose your head
Goblins might peek in a window, but they'll not come near the bed
THE END