The Candy-man

I

“Father! My father!
“He sees me here!
“Bless me, my father!
“The Candy-man, he’s near!”

II

“Son! My son!
“No need to fret and fear!
“I’ll protect thee, my son!
“From the Candy-man you fear!”

III

“O father! He’s near!
“He’s wicked with ice!
“His eyes, they are wicked with fear!
“For candy he gives me—it’s nice!”

IV

“Little boy of yore,
“I am to serve thee,
For I am only lore,
“For it is you that fears me!”

V

“Father! He speaks!
“He speaks with evil!
“He wants me for his feasts
“So he dine with the devil!”


VI

“I’ll give you gum,
“Cotton-candy, lollipops!
“Fat you’ll become,
“Oh my dear dolly-who-pops!”

“Father! He wants me!
“Don’t let him here!
“He’ll grab my knee,
“And hypnotize me with fear!”

VII

“His nose is red,
“His eyes are black!
“His body has bled!
“His candy he carries in a sack!”

VIII

“My son, need no fear!
“I’ll let him come yonder,
“For it is I with drear,
“And murder I ponder!”

IX

“Father! Don’t speak such things!
“He’s evil, full of spite!
“Hark! A bell rings!
“Must it be the hour of fright?”

X

“A plaid shirt he wears!
“His shoes are gay!
“His temper is like a bear’s!
“His teeth rotten with decay!”

XI

“Hark! His dying hour come;
“I’ll take him with me!
“He’ll disappear with my hum,
“As I stuff him with candy!”

XII

“Father! Be as it may!
“The Candy-man is wicked;
“But I trust thee, it’s the day
“Your life gets ticketed!”