When I was a nipper this was the time of the year for "Cob-coalin".
Halloween was not in our calendar at all.
We did the Guy Fawkes thing and extorted a few bob off neighbours with the battered pram off the tip carrying the guy stuffed with old newspapers.
" Trick or treat" has morphed from bunches of scraggy kids singing for money for fireworks and treacle toffee, into something much more warm and sophisticated.
This was our favourite song,:
We come a cob coal-in, for bonfire night, your coal and your money, we hope you'll give right.
Falla day, falla day, falla didley eye doe day!
For down in yon cellar is an old umbrella, and down in yon corner is an old pepper box.
Paaayberbox, paaper box, mornin' till neet.
If you give us nowt, we'll take nowt and bid you good neet!
( Guy, guy. Hittim in the eye. Tie him to a lamp post and never let him die!)
Knock knock.
(get a few coins or "piss off ---- you were here last night")