Disney Music: Grim Grinning Ghosts

The song 'Grim Grinning Ghosts' is the song that plays all throughout the ride The Haunted Mansion, it was composed by Buddy Baker, with lyrics written by X Atencio. According to various Disney sources, the name is taken from Shakespeare's poem Venus and Adonis:

Look, how the world's poor people are amaz'd

At apparitions, signs, and prodigies,

Whereon with fearful eyes they long have gaz'd,

Infusing them with dreadful prophecies;

So she at these sad sighs draws up her breath,

And, sighing it again, exclaims on Death.

‘Hard-favour'd tyrant, ugly, meagre, lean,

Hateful divorce of love,'—thus chides she Death,—

‘Grim-grinning ghost, earth's worm, what dost thou mean

To stifle beauty and to steal his breath,

Who when he liv'd, his breath and beauty set

Gloss on the rose, smell to the violet?

The first time I rode The Haunted Mansion, I was terrified. I had my eyes either shut or on the floor the entire time. But, the one thing that I did love was the song. I've always loved Disney's music, and this is a great example of their storytelling talents in cohesion to their incredible immersive theming.

 When hinges creak in doorless chambers
And strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls
Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still
That is the time when ghosts are present
Practicing their terror with ghoulish delight

When the crypt doors creak, and the tombstones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake
Happy haunts materialize
And begin to vocalize
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize
Now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide
Or a silly spook may sit by your side
Shrouded in a daft disguise
They pretend to terrorize
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize
As the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes
Start to shriek and harmonize
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize
When you hear the knell of a requiem bell
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell
Restless bones etherialize
Rise as spooks of every size
Mwahahahahahahahaha

If you would like to join our jamboree
There's a simple rule that's compulsory
Mortals pay a token fee
Rest in peace, the haunting's free
So hurry back we would like your company

Hurry back...Hurry back...
Be sure to bring your death certificate
If you decide to join us
Make final arrangements now
We've been...dying...to have you