The Headless Horseman

Just gather 'round and I'll elucidate

'Bout what goes on outside when it gets late

Along about midnight the ghosts and banshees

They get together for their nightly jamboree.


There's things with horns and saucer eyes,

And some have fangs about this size.

Some are fat and some are thin

And some don't even wear their skin.


Oh, I'm tellin' you brother, it's a frightfull sight

To see what goes on on Halloween night.


When the spooks have a midnight Jamboree

They break it up with fiendish glee.

Ghosts are bad, but the one that's cursed

Is the Headless Horseman, he's the worst.


That's right, he's a fright, on Halloween night.


But when he goes a-joggin' 'cross the land

Holdin' his noggin in his hand,

Demons take one look and groan

And hit the road for parts unknown.


Beware, take care, he rides alone.


And there's no spook, like a spook who's spurned.

They don't like him, and he's really burned.

He swears to the longest day he's dead

He'll show them that he can get a head.


They say he's tired of his flamin' top.

He's got a yen to make a swap.

So he rides one night each year

To find a head in the Hollow here.


Now he likes them little, he likes them big,

Parted in the middle, or a wig,

Black or white or even red,

The Headless Horseman needs a head.


With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop,

He's out lookin' for a top to chop.

So don't stop to figure out a plan

You can't reason with a headless man.


Now if you doubt this tale is so

I met that spook just a year ago.

Now I didn't stop for a second look

But made for the bridge that spans the brook.


For once you cross that bridge, my friends,

The ghost is through, his power ends.


So when you're riding home tonight

Make for the bridge with all your might.

He'll be down in the hollow there

He needs your head, look out, beware!


With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop

He's out looking for a head to swap.

So don't try to figure out a plan

You can't reason with a headless man.


The Headless Horseman

From "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

Written by: Don Raye and Gene De Paul

Performed by: Bing Crosby and the Rhythmaires