Info
Alternate title:Â Have You Seen the Ghost of John
Lyrics
(Folk song)
Have you seen the ghost of Tom
Long white bones with the rest all gone
Oo–
Wouldn’t it be chilly with no skin on
YouTube
- Song with chords, Adapted version with non-Halloween poem, Lesson ideas for Harmony (round), Rhythm (long sounds: half & dotted half notes), Orff arrangement (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
7 thoughts on “Have You Seen the Ghost of Tom”
I thought the lyrics went:
Have you seen the ghost of Tom?
Eyes bugged out and nose toooo long . . .
Big ugly teeth and a shiny white chin,
Only one cheek to keep his tongue in . . .
That is how I have sung it for decades.
Folk songs often have many versions. Thanks for sharing yours!
That’s what I remember signing growing up also, Donna! I can’t seem to find the rendition I grew up with anywhere. I’m glad I’m not the only one who remembers it this way.
OMG thank goodness you remember it that way too! I thought this was either another case of the mandala effect OR I had lost my last marble! LOL!
I remember the lyrics the same as Donna and Steffany. What appears to be the most common variation here is foreign to me…Regardless, the melody haunts me like no other from my childhood. I’ve got goosebumps as we speak! OOOOOO!
Yep, My sister learned it the way Donna did! Combining the verses would be the nicest version of all!
Have you seen the ghost of Tom
long white teeth and no clothes
..wouldn’t it be chilly with no clothes on