Hello Little Girl
Danielle Ferland/Paul Gemignani/Robert Westenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good day, young lady
Little Red Riding Hood
Good day, Mr. Wolf
Wolf
Mmh
Uhh
Pink and plump
Hello, little girl
This one's especially lush
Delicious
Mmh
Hello little girl
What's your rush?
You're missing all the flowers
The sun won't set for hours
Take your time
Little Red
Mother said, "Straight ahead"
Not to delay
Or be misled
Wolf
But slow little girl
Mark! and hush
The birds are singing sweetly
You'll miss the birds completely
You're traveling so fleetly
Grandmother first
The Miss Plump
What a delectable couple
Utter perfection
One brittle, one supple
One moment, me dear!
Little Red
Mother said, come what may
Follow the path and never stray
The song Hello Little Girl by Danielle Ferland from the musical Into the Woods is a conversation between Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. The lyrics are full of subtext, and the piece is not just a simple exchange between two characters. In fact, it is an allegory of temptation and the danger of the unknown. The Wolf represents the seducer or the predator who tricks the innocent and vulnerable into a trap.
The Wolf's opening lines show his intention to deceive Little Red Riding Hood. When he greets her and tells her she looks delicious, he uses a tone that is both ominous and seductive. He tries to persuade her to take her time, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods, thus delaying her arrival at her grandmother's house. The Wolf is an exponent of sin, and his speech is a warning of his intentions.
Little Red Riding Hood, on the other hand, is depicted as young, innocent, and not aware of the dangers that lurk behind the trees. She is not able to recognize the Wolf's deceit, but she trusts her mother's words and follows the path. However, the Wolf's temptation lingers on her mind, making her vulnerable to his trap. The song is a cautionary tale for anyone that might fall into the wolf's trap.
Line by Line Meaning
Wolf
A wolf appears
Good day, young lady
The wolf greets Little Red Riding Hood politely
Little Red Riding Hood
The wolf addresses Little Red Riding Hood by name
Good day, Mr. Wolf
Little Red Riding Hood responds politely to the wolf's greeting
Mmh
The wolf pauses to think
Uhh
The wolf makes a sound of interest
Look at that flesh
The wolf admires Little Red Riding Hood's physical appearance
Pink and plump
The wolf describes Little Red Riding Hood's flesh in more detail
Hello, little girl
The wolf addresses Little Red Riding Hood again
This one's especially lush
The wolf is particularly interested in Little Red Riding Hood's flesh
Delicious
The wolf is already imagining how good Little Red Riding Hood would taste
Mmh
The wolf continues to think
Hello little girl
The wolf repeats his address to Little Red Riding Hood
What's your rush?
The wolf questions Little Red Riding Hood's hurry
You're missing all the flowers
The wolf tries to persuade Little Red Riding Hood to slow down and enjoy the scenery
The sun won't set for hours
The wolf points out that there is plenty of time left in the day
Take your time
The wolf encourages Little Red Riding Hood to relax and enjoy herself
Little Red
The wolf addresses Little Red Riding Hood more informally
Mother said, "Straight ahead"
Little Red Riding Hood recites the instructions her mother gave her
Not to delay
Little Red Riding Hood reminds herself not to waste time
Or be misled
Little Red Riding Hood is cautious about straying from the path
Wolf
The wolf reappears
But slow little girl
Now the wolf is trying to convince Little Red Riding Hood to go even slower
Mark! and hush
The wolf warns Little Red Riding Hood to be quiet and pay attention
The birds are singing sweetly
The wolf points out the beauty of the birds' song
You'll miss the birds completely
The wolf implies that Little Red Riding Hood is going too fast to appreciate the birdsong
You're traveling so fleetly
The wolf comments on Little Red Riding Hood's speedy pace
Grandmother first
The wolf suggests that Little Red Riding Hood visit her grandmother first
The Miss Plump
The wolf refers to Little Red Riding Hood as a desirable target
What a delectable couple
The wolf is pleased by the prospect of eating both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother
Utter perfection
The wolf thinks Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother are the perfect prey
One brittle, one supple
The wolf appreciates the contrasting textures of Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother's flesh
One moment, me dear!
The wolf stops Little Red Riding Hood to speak with her again
Little Red
The wolf addresses Little Red Riding Hood in a familiar way again
Mother said, come what may
Little Red Riding Hood remembers her mother's instructions to always stay on the path
Follow the path and never stray
Little Red Riding Hood reminds herself to stay on track
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind