All Souls’ Day is observed annually on November 2. This day is dedicated to the commemoration of all the faithful departed. It follows All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated on November 1.

• Purpose: The day emphasizes the importance of prayer for the souls of the deceased, helping them attain purification and ultimately enter heaven.
• Tradition: Many Christians participate in special prayers, attend Mass, and visit cemeteries to honor their loved ones.

According to the internet, soul cakes have a history dating back to the Medieval period, where they were given to children and the poor during the practice of “souling” on Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. This tradition involved visiting wealthier families to pray for the souls of the deceased in exchange for these sweet, biscuit-like cakes, which were often marked with a cross to signify they were alms for the needy.

Here are Peter, Paul & Mary singing a very old song about it in 1965:

Lyrics from their version:

[Intro]
Hey ho, nobody home
Meat nor drink nor money have I none
Yet shall we be merry
Hey ho, nobody home
(Hey ho, nobody home)
Meat nor drink nor money have I none
(Hey ho, nobody home)
Yet shall we be merry
Hey ho, nobody home
Hey ho, nobody home

[Chorus]
Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soal cake
An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
Any good thing to make us all merry
One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all

[Verse 1]
God bless the master of this house and the mistress also
And all the little children that round your table grow
The cattle in your stable, the dog by your front door
And all that dwells within your gates, we wish you ten times more

[Chorus]
Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soal cake
An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
Any good thing to make us all merry
One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all

[Verse 2]
Go down into the cellar and see what you can find
If the barrels are not empty, we hope you will be kind
We hope you will be kind with your apple and strawber’
For we’ll come no more a’ soalin’ ’til this time next year

[Chorus]
Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soal cake
An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
Any good thing to make us all merry
One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all

[Verse 3]
The streets are very dirty, my shoes are very thin
I have a little pocket to put a penny in
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’ penny will do
If you haven’t got a ha’ penny then God bless you

[Chorus]
Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soal cake
An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
Any good thing to make us all merry
One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all

[Outro]
Now to the Lord, sing praises all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood, each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas of beauty and of grace
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
(Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soal cake
An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
Any good thing to make us all merry
One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all
Three for him who made us all)