There are specific songs. One is telling part of the story of St. Martin. He was a Roman soldier, before he became a Christian. One winter night he gave a beggar half of his coat.
My favorite songThat translates to
Through the streets up and down
The lanterns are shining again
Red, yellow, blue, green
Dear Martin come and have a look
Like the flowers in the garden
Lanterns of all kinds are blooming
Red, yellow....
And we walk a long way
With lanterns on our sticks
Red, yellow,....
Now that I think about it, there is something similar to the tricks, if the kids don't get candy for their songs. At least in my part of the country they used to yell: "Dat Hus dat steiht uf Stippe, de Düwel soll et wippe. "
That means the house is standing on stilts, the devil shall rock it.
I don't think I ever did that.
