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Hymn To The Great Pumpkin

from Songs from the Orange Book by Justin Burning

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lyrics

O orange gourd, great emblem of our Day,
All-hallowed pumpkin, pride of Halloween,
Your shell alone is fit to house the sheen
Of candlelight that keeps the imps at bay.

We've chosen you to hold the Samhain Flame,
And guard against the ghosts that haunt this night.
Yours is the weirdly dancing, eldritch light
Wherein is mystery without a name.

You smile upon the autumn-littered lawn
When in the evening twilight parts the Veil
With spectral hands; you brave the night's travail
With glowing gladness lasting till the dawn.

The trick-or-treaters seek you one by one
To learn a secret some will take to heart.
You are the Hierophant; you play your part
Throughout our lives—your work is never done.

We worship you on porch, in pumpkin patch,
Showing our dear devotion with our toil.
How solemnly we till the summer soil...
How lovingly we carve, and light the match....

You give yourself unto the carver's knife
Year after year, hanged king of Harvest Home.
But though you rot into the autumn loam—
You rise again in spring with green new life.

But we grow old, and spring returns no more,
And then we place you on an ancient porch.
You are the bearer of Tradition's torch,
And you will teach our children ways of yore.

O orange gourd, great emblem of our Day,
All-hallowed pumpkin, pride of Halloween,
When autumn comes for me, I'll walk between
Dim life and death, with you to show the way.

credits

from Songs from the Orange Book, released October 2, 2020
Poetry & recitation by K. A. Opperman
Music, mixing, and mastering by Justin Burning

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Justin Burning Phoenix, Arizona

Justin has been composing music for over 20 years, primarily through bands like The Video Nasties, Dissonance, No Absolution, Fall of Empyrean, and The Liquescent Horror. Now, he primarily writes music for film, television, and other media. Justin lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife, two daughters, and dog. ... more

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