Sometimes they’re in the corner... sometimes they’re by the door...
Sometimes they’re all a-standin’ in the middle uv the floor!
Sometimes they’re a-sittin’ down... sometimes they’re a-walkin’ round
So softly an’ so creepy-like they never make a sound!
Sometimes they’re as black as ink... an’ other times they’re white —
But the color ain’t no difference when you’re seein’ Things at night!
Once, when I socked a feller ’at had just moved on our street,
An’ Father sent me up to bed without a bite to eat,
I woke up in the dark, an’ saw Things standin’ in a row,
A-lookin’ at me cross-eyed an’ pointin’ at me — so!
Oh, my! I wuz so skeered that time I never slep’ a mite!
It’s almost alluz when I’m bad I see Things at night!
Lucky thing I ain’t a girl, or I’d be skeered to death!
Bein’ I’m a boy, I duck my head an’ hold my breath!
An’ I am, oh, so sorry I’m a naughty boy, an’ then
I promise to be better, an’ I say my prayers again!
Gran’ma tells me that’s the only way to make it right
When a feller has been wicked an’ sees Things at night!
An’ so, when other naughty boys would coax me into sin,
I try to skwush the Tempter’s voice ’at urges me within;
An’ when there’s pie for supper, or cakes ’at big an’ nice,
I want to — but I do not pass my plate fer them things twice!
No, ruther let Starvation wipe me slowly out o’ sight
Than I should keep a livin’ on an’ seein’ Things at night!