Stingy Jack

In Ireland, a tale is told,
Of a man named Jack, who was shrewd and bold.
He tricked the Devil, who sought his soul to claim,
And by his wit, won himself an ill fated fame.

One drunken night, Jack met the fiend,
Who offered him a deal, or so it seemed.
The Devil offered to pay his debts with glee,
But slyly, he added another fee.
"I'll pay your dues, but there's a catch, my friend,
Your soul is mine, when it comes to an end."

Jack saw right through the Devil's guise.
He was a trickster too, and all the more wise.
He had no intention for the deal proposed.
And from the Devil's grasp, his soul would be closed.

He pulled out from his pocket a small cross,
And held it high, as if he bore the cloth.
With the trinket in hand, he trapped the Devil up a tree,
And laughed as the begged and pleaded to be free.

The Devil cursed and raged, but to no avail.
As Jack laughed and grinned, smug and pale.
He let the Devil go, but the fiend had a vow.
Jack was barred from Hell, never to be allowed.

Thinking he had just outwitted the Devil,
Jack lived his life thoughtless and revel.
He cheated and stole, with no remorse or care,
And thought himself clever beyond compare.
He took what he wanted, and did as he pleased.
His cruelty and greed knew no bounds or ease.

When Jack's life ended, he entered the dark.
But to both Hell, and Heaven, he could not embark.
"You tricked me," said the Devil, "but now you'll pay.
For eternity, here, you'll be forced to stay."

As he turned to leave, the Devil threw,
An ember, burning orange and blue,
Saying, "This small coal will light your path,
Through the darkness of your endless wrath."

Jack carved a lantern from a turnip round.
And used it as a torch to light the ground.
Thus Jack of the Lantern was born that day.
A restless spirit, doomed to stray.

Each Hallow's Eve, he walks the earth once more.
His lantern leading him to every door.
He seeks a place to rest, but finds none there.
His fate is sealed, he's destined to despair.

So beware of Jack, when the night grows late,
And the moon is full, don't open your gate.
For if you do, and he enters your home,
You yourself may be doomed to wander and to roam.