I first wrote about pumpkin caroling when I ran across this charming photograph taken at Halloween in 1969:
Even more charming, this year a loyal reader sent me scans of what look to be the lyrics they were singing. They’re goofy, to no one’s surprise I’m sure:
Bonus: I think this is beautiful.
Any idea which college they were from?
The archives caption says Wiess: “Students from Rice University’s Wiess College standing outside a university building, holding candles and singing Christmas carols, during an event called ‘pumpkin caroling’.” (https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/90905)
But an article on page 5 of the Nov. 3, 1966, Thresher gave some more background:
“Pumpkin caroling had its revival last year at Baker College, where two sophomores
had gotten bored on October 31. However, that was not the origin of such activities. They have been going in cycles for years.
“This year Baker again led the field with well organized troupes. Charlie Shanor even provided stenciled song sheets. A pumpkin was lifted from the Will Rice commons.
“The Baker troupe progressed to Will Rice, Hanszen (which threw water), and Wiess (which ignored them). Then refreshments were provided for a rehearsal at Baker House.
“The troupe proceeded to the Library, in which quite a few carols were sung loudly. They migrated to Jones, where they received cheers and more singers, making their number over 50. Then began some pumpkin bowing and a few chants.
“At Brown the singers were strafed from the air and placed in “mortal danger.” (“Can you imagine being hit by a piece of hard candy from 8 stories up?” ) … ” (https://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/66450/thr19661103.pdf?sequence=1)
1969? They all look a little too clean-cut for 1969.