Everytime is a time for spooky things in my world, but in October the rest of the world joins in with the fun. I will be post a lot of interesting poems and stories for the holiday season.
First, two books to read to help you get in the mood.
Chicago Haunts by Ursula Bielski -- I've read every book on ghosts in the Midwest and Chicago and this is the best. From the Chicago based small press publisher Lake Claremont Press, Ursula's book is better written, better researched, and more interesting than any other ghost book. These universal stories could come from your home town, but you'll also get some Chicago history and sociological insight.
Death Makes a Holiday by David J. Skal -- The true history of Halloween. David cuts through the propaganda, miss-conceptions, distortions, and bullshit surrounding the "ancient" holiday of All Hallow's Eve. The truth is out there and it is in this book.
Second, I bring to you a slightly rewritten version of The Hearse Song, a fun little poem that I have never seen credited to any author. If you know the history of this poem, I am interested.
The Hearse Song
Show due respect as the hearse goes by,
for you may be the next to die.
They zip you up in a big black sack,
embalm you so you don't come back.
They stuff you in an expensive box,
only to cover it with dirt and rocks.
Soon your coffin will begin to leak,
and all sorts of buggies play hide-and-seek.
The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,
they squiggle and squirm and slither about.
They'll eat your eyes, dine on your brain,
if you weren't so dead you'd go insane.
They set up house in your open chest,
and use your guts for an egg nest.
They chew and chomp and crunch from head to feet,
'til there is nothing of worth left to eat.
Then you'll dry like an old bread crust,
and finally crumble into powdery dust.
First, two books to read to help you get in the mood.
Chicago Haunts by Ursula Bielski -- I've read every book on ghosts in the Midwest and Chicago and this is the best. From the Chicago based small press publisher Lake Claremont Press, Ursula's book is better written, better researched, and more interesting than any other ghost book. These universal stories could come from your home town, but you'll also get some Chicago history and sociological insight.
Death Makes a Holiday by David J. Skal -- The true history of Halloween. David cuts through the propaganda, miss-conceptions, distortions, and bullshit surrounding the "ancient" holiday of All Hallow's Eve. The truth is out there and it is in this book.
Second, I bring to you a slightly rewritten version of The Hearse Song, a fun little poem that I have never seen credited to any author. If you know the history of this poem, I am interested.
The Hearse Song
Show due respect as the hearse goes by,
for you may be the next to die.
They zip you up in a big black sack,
embalm you so you don't come back.
They stuff you in an expensive box,
only to cover it with dirt and rocks.
Soon your coffin will begin to leak,
and all sorts of buggies play hide-and-seek.
The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,
they squiggle and squirm and slither about.
They'll eat your eyes, dine on your brain,
if you weren't so dead you'd go insane.
They set up house in your open chest,
and use your guts for an egg nest.
They chew and chomp and crunch from head to feet,
'til there is nothing of worth left to eat.
Then you'll dry like an old bread crust,
and finally crumble into powdery dust.
2 comments:
October is also the only time of year you ever hear Warren Zevon on the radio, although it's only one song ("Werewolves of London") and far from being the best one in his canon.
If you've not heard Mr. Zevon you might start with his eponymous album or Excitable Boy which contains the aforementioned ode to werewolves.
His final album, The Wind, is also a beautiful work, and contains quite the guest list, including Jackson Browne, T. Bone Burnett, Ry Cooder, Emmylou Harris, various members of The Eagles, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and others.
I agree. I am a fan.
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