From Hansel und Gretel
An old witch dwells deep in the woods,
with powers from the devil.
At midnight when no one is awake,
she rides off on her witch hunt!
Out of the chimney, over hill and valley,
through the mists, through the storms, ride the witches!
Horrible! But… the gingerbread witch?
By day, she lures the poor little children
to her gingerbread house, with magic cake!
Then she grabs them and pushes them into the oven,
and they come out as gingerbread children!
- What happens to the gingerbread children?
- They get eaten by the witch!
Horror! Heaven help us! And the children!
I can't bear it any longer!
Wait, old girl, take me with you!
We'll go together to the witches' ride!
- Gretel, I don't know which way to go!
- Oh God, what are you saying? You don't know the way?
You're such a scardy-cat!
I'm a boy, and I'm not afraid!
- Hansel, something bad is going to happen to us!
- Oh Gretel, be sensible!
- What is that shimmering in the darkness?
- Those are the birch trees and their white bark.
- And there, what is grinning at us from the marsh?
- Th… th… that's a glowing willow stump.
- What a strange face it's making!
- I thumb my nose at you! You hear that, you wight!
There… look! The little light, it's coming closer!
Will-o'-the-wisp, away with you!
Gretel, be brave! I'll shout…
- Who's there?
- He's there!
- Is someone there?
- Yes!
Did you hear? It said “Yes!”
Hansel, someone's near!
I'm afraid! I wish I were home!
The forest is so spooky!
Gretel, stay close to me.
I'll hold and protect you!
Here come white mist-ladies!
Look how menacingly they appear!
They'll catch us! Father! Mother!
See the little man there, sister!
Who do you think that is?
I am the little Sandman… shh!
And I won't harm you… shh!
I love you little ones tenderly and lovingly…
Out of this sack two little grains for you,
my tired ones, in your little eyes…
…so that they chose shut on their own,
so you can sleep in gentle peace!
And if you're good and fall asleep…
The stars will awaken from the far recesses of heaven,
and angels will bring you many sweet dreams!
Now dream, little children, dream…
Angels will bring you many sweet dreams!
- The Sandman was here!
- Let us say our evening prayer!
In the evening when I go to sleep,
fourteen angels stand around me…
Two at my head, two at my feet,
two at my right, two at my left…
Two that cover me, two that waken me,
two that guide me to heaven's paradise!
Nibble, crunchies, who's nibbling at my little house?
- Did you hear that?
- The wind! Heaven's child!
- How does it taste?
- Have some!
Delicious cake, you taste so good - I want some more;
I feel like I'm in heaven!
- It's so good! How sweet!
- It's so delicious! How wonderful!
- Perhaps a pastry cook lives here!
- Hey chef, be careful! A little mouse will nibble a hole in your house!
Nibble, crunchies, who's nibbling at my little house?
The wind! Heaven's child!
Wait, you munching little mouse,
the cat will come out of the house!
Munch away, and leave me in peace!
- Not so fast, mister wind!
- Heaven's child, I take what I find!
- Let go! Who are you? Let me go!
- Little angel! And you, my little rascal!
You're coming to visit? So nice!
You dear children so round and fat!
Who are you, hag? Let me go!
Now dear heart, don't put on such airs!
Don't be afraid of me!
I am Rosina Sweet-tooth, and I just love people!
I'm innocent as a little child!
That's why I love little children so much,
so much… I could gobble them up!
Stay away from me! I can't stand you!
What delicious, tasty roasts you will make,
especially you, my darling girl!
Come, little mousies, come into my little house!
You will like it here with me,
I'll give you delicious things to eat!
Chocolate, jam-tarts, marzipan, cake filled with whipped cream…
…carob cake and licorice, rice pudding, raisins and figs,
almonds and dates, everything in my little house is yours!
- I won't go with you, you horrible woman!
- You're much too kind!
Well, well! How clever! Children, I mean it all in a good way,
you'll be in my house as in heaven's kingdom!
Come, little mousies, come into my little house!
You will like it here with me,
I'll give you delicious things to eat!
What do you want with my brother?
Let's see…
I'll feed him and cram him with all sorts of delicious things,
I'll make him tender and tasty!
And if he is good and quiet, and docile and patient,
I will whisper it in your ear: there's a great treat in store!
Then say it aloud and not in my ear: what's the treat in store?
Yes, dear children, your senses
will fail you when you see this treat of mine!
Hey, my senses work just fine!
They pay good attention when harm comes my way!
Gretel, don't trust her smooth talk!
Come, little sister, we're running away!