THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN (THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD, 1949)

"Yeah, J. Thaddeus, quite a lad. Speaking of fabulous characters, England has produced a bumper crop of them. But don't forget, over here in the colonies, we've managed to come up with a few of our own. How about Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, Johnny Appleseed, Black Bart, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone and, of course, the one and only Ichabod Crane. Old Ichy, if you recall, was the country schoolmaster dreamed up by Washington Irving. Oh, he had a way with the yarn, good Mr. Irving." - Narrator, Ichabod segment

This much-loved Disney Classic of a twin-bill is a perfect family viewing especially the latter on Halloween season. The second half of the animated The Adventures of Ichabod And Mr. Toad features the story of Ichabod Crane who went on the town of Sleepy Hollow where the dreaded Headless Horseman is feared to exist. The animation not also brims with excitement and great storyline but with catchy tunes such as the one sung by the late crooner Bing Crosby along with the Rhythmaires. A fun theme.

THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN

sung by: Bing Crosby And The Rhythmaires

BROM BONES:

When the spooks have a midnight jamboree

They break it up with fiendish glee

Ghosts are bad but the one that’s cursed
Is the Headless Horseman, he’s the worst

CHORUS:
That’s right, he’s a fright on Halloween night

BROM BONES:
But when he goes a joggin’ ‘cross the land
Holding his noggin in his hand
Demons take one look and groan
And hit the road for parts unknown

CHORUS:
Beware, take care, he rides alone

BROM BONES:
And there’s no spook like a spook that’s spurned

CHORUS:
They don’t like him and he’s really burned

BROM BONES:
He swears to the longest day he’s dead

TOGETHER:
He’ll show them that he can get a head

BROM BONES:
They say he’s tired of his flamin’ top
He’s got a yen to make a swap
So he rides one night each year
To find a head in the hollow here

CHORUS:
Now he likes them little, he likes them big
Part in the middle, or a wig
Black or white or even red

BROM BONES:
The Headless Horseman needs a head

TOGETHER:
With a hip, hip and a clippity-clop
He’s out looking for a top to chop

BROM BONES:
So don’t stop to figure out a plan
You can’t reason with a

TOGETHER:
Headless man

BROM BONES:
Now if you doubt this tale is so
I met that spook just a year ago
Now, I didn’t stop for a second look
But made for the bridge that spans the brook
For once you’ve crossed that bridge, my friend

CHORUS:
The ghost is through, his power ends

BROM BONES:
So when you’re riding home tonight
Make for the bridge with all your might
He’ll be down in the hollow there
He needs your headLook out, beware

TOGETHER:
With a hip, hip and a clippity-clop
He’s out looking for a head to swap
So don’t try to figure out a plan
You can’t reason with a headless man