Jack's Lament

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

Performed by: [Jack Skellington]

There are few who'd deny, at what I do I am the best

For my talents are renowned far and wide

When it comes to surprises in the moonlit night

I excel without ever even trying

With the slightest little effort of my ghostlike charms

I have seen grown men give out a shriek

With the wave of my hand, and a well-placed moan

I have swept the very bravest off their feet

Yet year after year, it's the same routine

And I grow so tired of the sound of screams

And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King

Have grown so tired of the same old thing

Oh, somewhere deep inside of these bones

An emptiness began to grow

There's something out there, far from my home

A longing that I've never known

I'm a master of fright, and a demon of light

And I'll scare you right out of your pants

To a guy in Kentucky, I'm Mister Unlucky

And I'm known throughout England and France

And since I am dead, I can take off my head

To recite Shakespearean quotations

No animal nor man can scream like I can

With the fury of my recitations

But who here would ever understand

That the Pumpkin King with his skeleton grin

Would tire of his crown, if they only understood

He'd give it all up if he only could

Oh, there's an empty place in my bones

That calls out for something unknown

The fame and praise come year after year

Does nothing for these empty tears

Jack's Obsession

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Citizens of Halloween:]Something's up with Jack

Something's up with Jack

Don't know if we're ever going to get him back

He's all alone up there

Locked away inside

Never says a word

Hope he hasn't died

Something's up with Jack

Something's up with Jack

[Jack:]Christmas time is buzzing in my skull

Will it let me be? I cannot tell

There are so many things I cannot grasp

When I think I've got it, and then at last

Through my bony fingers it does slip

Like a snowflake in a fiery grip

Something's here I'm not getting

Though I try, I keep forgetting

Like a memory, long since past

Here in an instant, gone in a flash

What does it mean?

What does it mean?

In these little bric-a-brac

A secret's waiting to be cracked

These dolls and toys confuse me so

Confound it all, I love it though

Simple objects, nothing more

But something's hidden through a door

Though I do not have the key

Something's there I cannot see

What does it mean?

What does it mean?

What does it mean?

Hmm...

I've read these Christmas books so many times

I know the stories and I know the rhymes

I know the Christmas carols all by heart

My skull's so full, it's tearing me apart

As often as I've read them, something's wrong

So hard to put my bony finger on

Or perhaps it's really not as deep

As I've been led to think

Am I trying much too hard?

Of course! I've been too close to see

The answer's right in front of me

Right in front of me

It's simple really, very clear

Like music drifting in the air

Invisible, but everywhere

Just because I cannot see it

Doesn't mean I can't believe it

You know, I think this Christmas thing

It's not as tricky as it seems

And why should they have all the fun?

It should belong to anyone

Not anyone, in fact, but me

Why, I could make a Christmas tree

And there's no reason I can find

I couldn't handle Christmas time

I bet I could improve it too

And that's exactly what I'll do

Hee, hee, hee

Eureka! I've got it

Kidnap the Sandy Claws

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Lock, Shock, and Barrel:]Kidnap Mr. Sandy Claws

[Lock:] I wanna do it

[Barrel:] Let's draw straws

[Shock:] Jack said we should work together

Three of a kind

[All:] Birds of a feather

Now and forever

Wheeee

La, la, la, la, la

Kidnap the Sandy Claws, lock him up real tight

Throw away the key and then

Turn off all the lights

[Shock:] First we're going to set some bait

Inside a nasty trap we'll wait

When he comes a-sniffling we will

Snap the trap and close the gate

[Lock:] Wait! I've got a better plan

To catch this big red lobster man

Let's pop him in a boiling pot

And when he's done we'll butter him up

[All:] Kidnap the Sandy Claws

Throw him in a box

Bury him for ninety years

Then see if he talks

[Shock:]  Then Mr. Oogie Boogie Man

Can take the whole thing over then

He'll be so pleased, I do declare

That he will cook him rare

[All:] Wheeee

[Lock:] I say that we take a cannon

Aim it at his door

And then knock three times

And when he answers

Sandy Claws will be no more

[Shock:] You're so stupid, think now

If we blow him up to smithereens

We may lose some pieces

And then Jack will beat us black and green

[All:] Kidnap the Sandy Claws

Tie him in a bag

Throw him in the ocean

Then, see if he is sad

[Lock and Shock:] Because Mr. Oogie Boogie is the meanest guy around

If I were on his Boogie list, I'd get out of town

[Barrel:] He'll be so pleased by our success

That he'll reward us too, I bet

[All:] Perhaps he'll make his special brew

Of snake and spider stew

Ummm!

We're his little henchmen and

We take our job with pride

We do our best to please him

And to stay on his good side

[Shock:] I wish my cohorts weren't so dumb

[Barrel:] I'm not the dumb one

[Lock:] You're no fun

[Shock:] I've got something, listen now

This one is real good, you'll see

We'll send a present to his door

Up there'll be a note to read

Now, in the box we'll wait and hide

Until his curiosity entices him to look inside

[Barrel:] And then we'll have him

One, two, three

[All:] Kidnap the Sandy Claws, beat him with a stick

Lock him up for ninety years, see what makes him tick

Kidnap the Sandy Claws, chop him into bits

Mr. Oogie Boogie is sure to get his kicks

Kidnap the Sandy Claws, see what we will see

Lock him in a cage and then, throw away the key

Making Christmas

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Clown:] This time, this time

[Group:] Making Christmas

[Clown:] Making Christmas

[Mayor:]

Making Christmas, making Christmas

Is so fine

[Group:] It's ours this time

And won't the children be surprised

It's ours this time

[Child Corpse:] Making Christmas

[Mummy:] Making Christmas

[Mummy and Corpse Child:] Making Christmas

[Witches:]Time to give them something fun

[Witches and Creature Lady:]They'll talk about for years to come

[Group:]Let's have a cheer from everyone

It's time to party

[Duck Toy:]Making Christmas, making Christmas

[Vampires:]Snakes and mice get wrapped up so nice

With spider legs and pretty bows

[Vampires and Winged Demon:]It's ours this time

[Corpse Father:]All together, this and that

[Corpse Father and Werewolf:]With all our tricks we're

[Corpse Father, Werewolf and Devil:]Making Christmastime

[Werewolf:]Here comes Jack

[Jack:]I don't believe what's happening to me

My hopes, my dreams, my fantasies

Hee, hee, hee, hee

[Harlequin:]Won't they be impressed, I am a genius

See how I transformed this old rat

Into a most delightful hat

[Jack:]Hmmm, my compliments from me to you

On this most intriguing hat

Consider though this substitute

A bat in place of this old rat

Huh! No, no, no, now that's all wrong

This thing will never make a present

It's been dead for much too long

Try something fresher, something pleasant

Try again, don't give up

[Three Mr. Hydes:]All together, this and that

With all our tricks we're making Christmastime

[Group:]This time, this time

Making Christmas, making Christmas

La, la, la

It's almost here

[Group and Werewolf:]And we can't wait

[Group and Harlequin:]So ring the bells and celebrate

[Group:]'Cause when the full moon starts to climb

We'll all sing out

[Jack:]It's Christmastime

Hee, hee, hee

Oogie Boogie's Song

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Oogie Boogie:]Well, well, well, what have we here?

Sandy Claws, huh?

Oh, I'm really scared

So you're the one everybody's talkin' about, ha, ha

You're jokin', you're jokin'

I can't believe my eyes

You're jokin' me, you gotta be

This can't be the right guy

He's ancient, he's ugly

I don't know which is worse

I might just split a seam now

If I don't die laughing first

When Mr. Oogie Boogie says

There's trouble close at hand

You'd better pay attention now

'Cause I am the Boogie Man

And if you aren't shakin'

Then there's something very wrong

'Cause this may be the last time now

That you hear the boogie song, ohhh

[Three Bats:]Ohhh

[Oogie Boogie:]Ohhh

[Seven Lizards:]Ohhh

[Oogie Boogie:]Ohhh

[Seven Lizards:]Ohhh, he's the Oogie Boogie Man

[Oogie Boogie:]Well if I'm feelin' antsy

And there's nothin' much to do

I might just cook a special batch

Of snake and spider stew

And don't ya know the one thing

That would make it work so nice?

A roly-poly Sandy Claws to add a little spice

[Three Skeletons:]Ohhh

[Oogie Boogie:]Oh, yeah

[Three Bats:]Ohhh

[Oogie Boogie:]Ohhh

[Three Bats:]Ohhh

[Three Skeletons and Oogie Boogie:]Oh, yeah, (he's) I'm the Oogie Boogie Man

[Santa:]Release me now

Or you must face the dire consequences

The children are expecting me

So please, come to your senses

[Oogie Boogie:]You're jokin', you're jokin'

I can't believe my ears

Would someone shut this fella up

I'm drownin' in my tears

It's funny, I'm laughing

You really are too much

And now, with your permission

I'm gonna do my stuff

[Santa:]What are you gonna do?

[Oogie Boogie:]I'm gonna do the best I can

Oh, the sound of rollin' dice

To me is music in the air

'Cause I'm a gamblin' Boogie Man

Although I don't play fair

It's much more fun, I must confess

When lives are on the line

Not mine, of course, but yours, old boy

Now that's be just fine

[Santa:]Release me fast or you will have to

Answer for this heinous act

[Oogie Boogie:]Oh, brother, you're something

You put me in a spin

You aren't comprehending

The position that you're in

It's hopeless, you're finished

You haven't got a prayer

'Cause I'm Mr. Oogie Boogie

And you ain't going nowhere

Poor Jack

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

Performed by: [Jack Skellington]

What have I done?

What have I done?

How could I be so blind?

All is lost, where was I?

Spoiled all, spoiled all

Everything's gone all wrong

What have I done?

What have I done?

Find a deep cave to hide in

In a million years they'll find me

Only dust and a plaque

That reads, "Here Lies Poor Old Jack"

But I never intended all this madness, never

And nobody really understood how could they?

That all I ever wanted was to bring them something great

Why does nothing turn out as it should?

Well, what the heck, I went and did my best

And, by gosh, I really tasted something swell

And for a moment, why, I even touched the sky

And at least I left some stories they can tell, I did

And for the first time since I don't remember when

I felt just like my old bony self again

And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King

That's right! I am the Pumpkin King, ha, ha, ha

And I just can't wait until next Halloween

'Cause I've got some new ideas that will really make them scream

And, by gosh, I'm really gonna give it all my might

Uh oh, I hope there's still time to set things right

Sandy Claws, hmm

Sally's Song

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

Performed by: [Sally]

I sense there's something in the wind

That feels like tragedy's at hand

And though I'd like to stand by him

Can't shake this feeling that I have

The worst is just around the bend

And does he notice my feelings for him?

And will he see how much he means to me?

I think it's not to be

What will become of my dear friend?

Where will his actions lead us then?

Although I'd like to join the crowd

In their enthusiastic cloud

Try as I may, it doesn't last

And will we end up together?

No, I think not, it's never to become

For I am not the one

This is Halloween

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Shadow:]Boys and girls of every age

Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

[Siamese Shadow:]Come with us and you will see

This, our town of Halloween

[Pumpkin Patch Chorus:]This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Pumpkins scream in the dead of night

[Ghosts:]This is Halloween, everybody make a scene

Trick of treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright

It's our town, everybody scream

In this town of Halloween

[Creature Under Bed:]I am the one hiding under your bed

Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red

[Man Under the Stairs:]I am the one hiding under your stairs

Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair

[Corpse Chorus:]This is Halloween, this is Halloween

[Vampires:]Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

Everybody waiting for the next surprise

[Mayor:]In this town, don't we love it now?

Everybody's waiting for the next surprise

[Corpse Chorus:]Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can

Something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll

[Harlequin Demon, Werewolf, and Melting Man:]Scream! This is Halloween

Red 'n' black, slimy green

[Werewolf:]Aren't you scared?

[Witches:]Well, that's just fine

Say it once, say it twice

Take the chance and roll the dice

Ride with the moon in the dead of night

[Hanging Tree:]Everybody scream, everybody scream

[Hanged Men:]In our town of Halloween

[Clown:]I am the clown with the tear-away face

Here in a flash and gone without a trace

[Second Ghoul:]I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"

I am the wind blowing through your hair

[Oogie Boogie Shadow:]I am the shadow on the moon at night

Filling your dreams to the brim with fright

[Corpse Chorus:]This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

Halloween! Halloween!

[Child Corpse Trio:]Tender lumpings everywhere

Life's no fun without a good scare

[Parent Corpses:]That's our job, but we're not mean

In our town of Halloween

[Corpse Chorus:]In this town

[Mayor:]Don't we love it now?

[Mayor with Corpse Chorus:]Everyone's waiting for the next surprise

[Corpse Chorus:]Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back

And scream like a banshee

Make you jump out of your skin

This is Halloween, everyone scream

Won't ya please make way for a very special guy

Our man Jack is king of the Pumpkin King now

[Everyone:]This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

[Child Corpse Trio:]In this town we call home

Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

[Everyone:]La la la la, Halloween! Halloween!(etc.)

Town Meeting Song

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Jack;]There were objects so peculiar

They were not to be believed

All around, things to tantalize my brain

It's a world unlike anything I've ever seen

And as hard as I try

I can't seem to describe

Like a most improbable dream

But you must believe when I tell you this

It's as real as my skull and it does exist

Here, let me show you

This is a thing called a present

The whole thing starts with a box

[Devil;]A box?

Is it steel?

[Werewolf;]Are there locks?

[Harlequin Demon;]Is it filled with a pox?

[Devil, Werewolf and Harlequin Demon;]A pox

How delightful, a pox

[Jack;]If you please

Just a box with bright-colored paper

And the whole thing's topped with a bow

[Witches;]A bow?

But why?

How ugly

What's in it?

What's in it?

[Jack;]That's the point of the thing, not to know

[Clown;]It's a bat

Will it bend?

[Creature Under the Stairs;]It's a rat

Will it break?

[Undersea Gal;]Perhaps it's the head that I found in the lake

[Jack;]Listen now, you don't understand

That's not the point of Christmas land

Now, pay attention

Now we pick up an oversized sock

And hang it like this on the wall

[Mr. Hyde;]Oh, yes! Does it still have a foot?

[Medium Mr. Hyde;]Let me see, let me look

[Small Mr. Hyde;]Is it rotted and covered with gook?

[Jack;]Hmm, let me explain

There's no foot inside, but there's candy

Or sometimes it's filled with small toys

[Mummy and Winged Demon;]Small toys

[Winged Demon;]Do they bite?

[Mummy;]Do they snap?

[Winged Demon;]Or explode in a sack?

[Corpse Kid;] Or perhaps they just spring out

And scare girls and boys

[Mayor;]What a splendid idea

This Christmas sounds fun

Why, I'll fully endorse it

Let's try it at once

[Jack;]Everyone, please now, not so fast

There's something here that you don't quite grasp

Well, I may as well give them what they want

And the best, I must confess, I have saved for the last

For the ruler of the Christmas land

Is a fearsome king with a deep mighty voice

Least that's what I've come to understand

And I've also heard it told

That he's something to behold

Like a lobster, huge and red

And sets out to slay with his rain gear on

Carting bulging sacks with his great big arms

That is, so I've heard it said

And on a dark, cold night

Under full moonlight

He flies into a fog

Like a vulture in the sky

And they call him Sandy Claws

Well, at least they're excited

Though they don't understand

That special kind of feeling in Christmas land

Oh, well...

What's This?

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

Performed by: [Jack Skellington]

What's this? What's this?

There's color everywhere

What's this?

There's white things in the air

What's this?

I can't believe my eyes

I must be dreaming

Wake up, Jack, this isn't fair

What's this?

What's this? What's this?

There's something very wrong

What's this?

There are people singing songs

What's this?

The streets are lined with

Little creatures laughing

Everybody seems so happy

Have I possibly gone daffy?

What is this?

What's this?

There are children throwing snowballs here

Instead of throwing heads

They're busy building toys

And absolutely no one's dead

There's frost on every window

Oh, I can't believe my eyes

And in my bones I feel the warmth

That's coming from inside

Oh, look

What's this?

They're hanging the mistletoe, they kiss

Why that looks so unique, inspired

They're gathering around to hear a story

Roasting chesnuts on a fire

What's this?

What's this?

In here they've got a little tree, how queer

And who would ever think

And why?

They're covering it with tiny little things

They've got electric lights on strings

And there's a smile on everyone

So, now, correct me if I'm wrong

This looks like fun

This looks like fun

Oh, could it be I got my wish?

What's this?

Oh, my, what now?

The children are asleep

But look, there's nothing underneath

No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them

Or ensnare them, only cozy little things

Secure inside their dreamland

What's this?

The monsters are all missing

And the nightmares can't be found

And in their place there seems to be

Good feelings all around

Instead of screams, I swear

I can hear music in the air

The smell of cakes and pies

Is absolutely everywhere

The sights, the sounds

They're everywhere and all around

I've never felt so good before

This empty place inside of me is filling up

I simply cannot get enough

I want it, oh, I want it

Oh, I want it for my own

I've got to know

I've got to know

What is this place that I have found?

What is this?

Christmas Town, hmm...

Finale

From:  The Nightmare Before Christmas

Written by: Danny Elfman

[Chorus]La, la, la

Jack's OK, and he's back, OK

[Child Corpse and Chorus]He's all right

[Mayor and Chorus]Let's shout make a fuss

Scream it out, wheee

[Chorus]Jack is back now, everyone sing

In our town of Halloween

[Child Corpse]What's this?

[Cyclops]What's this?

[Harlequin Demon]I haven't got a clue

[Mr. Hyde]What's this?

[Clown]Why, it's completely new

[Off-screen Voice]What's this?

[Werewolf]Must be a Christmas thing

[Off-screen Voice]What's this?

[Mayor]It's really very strange

[Chorus]This is Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

What's this?

What's this?

(Repeat)

[Jack]My dearest friend, if you don't mind

I'd like to sit by your side

Where we can gaze into the stars

[Sally and Jack]And sit together, now and forever

For it is plain as anyone can see

We're simply meant to be