Monday 28 October 2024

A Week of Halloween Writing from our 10th anniversary anthology 'Write On!'

Halloween - a song by Ann Reader

Tonight the veil between the worlds grows thin

Beware the ones out there don't let them in

But as you bar your doors, remember some are yours

And leave a gift outside for absent kin.

Tonight the veil between the world grows thin.

 

Tonight the dark takes over from the light

So keep a candle burning through the night

And leave a lantern out

For those who roam about

A light to light the way for absent kin.

Tonight the veil between the worlds grows thin.

 

Tonight the lord of Samhain takes his crown

Summer's lady lays her mantle down

And every wraith and ghost

Will join that unquiet host

Tonight they're very close, your absent kin,

Tonight the veil between the worlds grows thin.

 

Tonight the world puts on her winter cloak

The Holly king takes over from the oak

And he'll not take his leave

Until the next May eve.

Tonight's the night to grieve for absent kin.

 

Tonight's no childish game of trick or treat

The soul cake's made and ready for to eat

But leave some on the portal

For those who are immortal

'Tis said they like the sweet things absent kin.

Tonight the veil between the worlds grows thin.

 

Tonight we're well provisioned here within

We've wine and cider, ale and metheglyn[1]

And we will raise a glass

For we also will pass

Tonight we'll drink a toast to absent kin.

Tonight the veil between the worlds grows thin.

[1] Metheglun – an ancient spiced mead drink


 Copies of Write On are available from Bridgnorth Library - price £8 

or

from Amazon price £8 

Write On!: A decade of stories and verse from Bridgnorth's High Town Writers: Amazon.co.uk: Bridgnorth, HTW: 9789403723792: Books


 

1 comment:

Jennie said...

I love this Anne, but even more so when you sang it on Tuesday night. It is quite unsettling but makes me want to learn more about our traditional pagan (and Christian) festivals