All-Hallows Carnival Villanelle

by Jane Røken


It'’s just one thing that you may like to know
before our show is done (you'’ll beg us stay) --
We take some of you with us when we go.

Come, ride the carousel, and feel the glow
of czardas and a merry roundelay!
Ach, just one thing that you may like to know,

but while the fiddles play, you’'ll tip a toe
to other games. Let gold outshine the grey.
We take some of you with us when we go.

Our ghostly band may stanch the seasons'’ flow
on this night only; then we'’re on our way --
it'’s just one thing that you may like to know.

The lanterns flicker now; the pipes play low.
As roosters bark and bray at break of day,
we take some of you with us when we go.

So, when the time has come to end the show,
we throw away our jester'’s masks and say
one little thing we thought you ought to know:
We take some of you with us when we go.