Stay With Me
Into the Woods Lyrics


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Witch
What did I clearly say?
Children must listen.

Rapunzel
No, no, please!

Witch
What were you not to do?
Children must see-

Rapunzel
No!

Witch
And learn.

Why could you not obey?
Children should listen.
What have I been to you?
What would you have me be?
Handsome like a Prince?

Ah, but I am old.
I am ugly.
I embarass you.

Rapunzel
No!

Witch
You are ashamed of me.

Rapunzel
No!

Witch
You are ashamed.
You don't understand.

Rapunzel
It was lonely atop that tower.

Witch
I was not company enough?

Rapunzel
I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world.

Witch
Don't you know what's out there in the world?
Someone has to shield you from the world.
Stay with me.

Princes wait there in the world, it's true.
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too.
Stay at home.
I am home.

Who out there could love you more than I?
What out there that I cannot supply?
Stay with me.

Stay with me,
The world is dark and wild.




Stay a child while you can be a child.
With me.

Overall Meaning

The song "Stay With Me" from the musical “Into the Woods” is a conversation between the Witch and Rapunzel. The Witch has raised Rapunzel in a tower and fears that if she leaves, she will be exposed to the dangers of the world. The Witch is demanding that Rapunzel stay with her and tries to guilt her into staying by questioning what she has done for her and asking what the world has to offer that she cannot provide. On the other hand, Rapunzel desires to see the world and live her own life. She tries to resist the Witch’s demands, stating that she is no longer a child and wants to explore the world outside the tower.


The song touches on themes of control and dependency, as well as the fear of the unknown. The Witch is holding on to Rapunzel and refuses to let her go even though she knows she must. She is unable to let go of her power over Rapunzel and let her live her own life. Rapunzel, despite being conflicted, wants to be independent and starts to understand that it is only by leaving the tower that she can grow into her own person.


Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the struggles of growing up, letting go and moving on. It emphasizes the importance of facing our fears and finding our own way in the world, while also recognizing the value of the support and guidance we've received in our formative years.


Line by Line Meaning

What did I clearly say? Children must listen.
The Witch is reminding Rapunzel that she gave specific instructions for her to follow and that she should have listened.


No, no, please!
Rapunzel is pleading with the Witch to stop talking to her in this manner.


What were you not to do? Children must see-
The Witch is asking Rapunzel what she did wrong, and explaining that children need to observe and learn.


No!
Rapunzel is still protesting and doesn't want to hear the Witch's lecture.


And learn. Why could you not obey? Children should listen.
The Witch is emphasizing that Rapunzel needs to pay attention and obey in order to learn properly.


What have I been to you? What would you have me be?
The Witch is asking Rapunzel to reflect on their relationship and what she wants from her.


Handsome like a Prince? Ah, but I am old. I am ugly. I embarass you.
The Witch is pointing out that she can't be what Rapunzel wants her to be and that she feels inadequate and unattractive.


You are ashamed of me.
The Witch believes that Rapunzel is embarrassed by her appearance and actions.


It was lonely atop that tower.
Rapunzel is explaining why she left the tower and sought out companionship.


I was not company enough?
The Witch is hurt that Rapunzel didn't find their time together to be fulfilling enough.


I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world.
Rapunzel is expressing her desire for independence and to experience new things.


Don't you know what's out there in the world? Someone has to shield you from the world. Stay with me.
The Witch is warning Rapunzel that the world can be dangerous and she needs protection.


Princes wait there in the world, it's true. Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too. Stay at home. I am home.
The Witch is cautioning Rapunzel that not everything in the world is good, even though there are princes out there, and that home with her is safer.


Who out there could love you more than I? What out there that I cannot supply? Stay with me.
The Witch wants Rapunzel to see that she loves and cares for her more than anyone else and that she can meet her every need if she stays with her.


Stay with me, The world is dark and wild. Stay a child while you can be a child. With me.
The Witch is begging Rapunzel to stay with her, and to cherish her childhood while she still can.




Contributed by Jordan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Mr.NoUsername

Watching this scene in the movie theatre made me want to cry, especially since my mom was sitting near my seat. Flashbacks of all the things I had done in the past that made her disappointed and sad flashed through my mind like lightning and my heart was being crushed emotionally. In that one scene, it made me reflect on everything I done in the past that had disappointed my mom and the guilt built up inside that leaked out in the form of tears, I almost wanted to hug my mom and just cry in her arms right then and there as a way of telling her "I'm sorry"

Stay at home
Mom is home
Who could love you more than mother?
Stay with her
Stay a child while you can be a child
With her

No matter how grown you are, you are still momma's little boy/girl. Stay her child and show your appreciation while you still can with her



Sincerely Amayah

lyrics cuz i’m jammin:

What did I clearly say?
Children should listen
No, no, please!
What were you not to do?
Childrem must see
No!
And learn
Why could you not obey?
Children should listen
What have I been to you?
What would you have me be?
Handsome like a prince?
Ah, but I am old
I am ugly
I embarass you
No!
You are ashamed of me
No!
You are ashamed
You don't understand
It was lonely atop that tower
I was not company enough?
I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world
Don't you know what's out there in the world?
Someone has to shield you from the world
Stay with me
Princes wait there in the world, it's true
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
Stay at home
I am home
Who out there could love you more than I?
What out there that I cannot supply?
Stay with me
Stay with me
The world is dark and wild
Stay a child while you can be a child
With me



林容安

LYRICS

Witch:
What did I clearly say?
Children must listen.

Rapunzel:
No, please!

Witch:
What were you not to do?
Children must see-

Rapunzel:
No!

Witch:
And learn.

Why could you not obey?
Children should listen.
What have I been to you?
What would you have me be?
Handsome like a Prince?

Ah, but I am old.
I am ugly.
I embarrass you.

Rapunzel:
No!

Witch:
You are ashamed of me.

Rapunzel:
No!

Witch:
You are ashamed.
You don't understand.

Rapunzel:
I'm no longer a child. I wish to see the world.

Witch:
Don't you know what's out there in the world?
Someone has to shield you from the world.
Stay with me

Princes wait there in the world, it's true.
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too.
Stay at home.
I am home.

Who out there could love you more than I ?
What out there that I cannot supply?
Stay with me.

Stay with me,
The world is dark and wild.
Stay a child while you can be a child.
With me.

I gave you protection.
And yet you disobey me.

Rapunzel:
No! You...

Witch:
Your prince will never lay eye on you again.
He will never lay eyeon at anything again.

Rapunzel:
What did you do to him!

Witch:
It doesn't matter.
Because where you're going no one can ever see you again!

Rapunzel:
No!No......no!



All comments from YouTube:

doddleoddle

Oh just LISTEN to that raw emotion. Absolutely brilliant.

Paint

:] oh hi!

Super StarQ

I totally agree

Alice

Totally agree with you Dodie! Can't wait! :)

Rowan Colleary

Alice Crook I have scene the film and Meryl's acting is extraordinary and this scene is great!

Myth1cPhantom

***** Jon i didn't know you were a Sondheim fan.

21 More Replies...

Priscilla Paizakis

I love that she puts wolves and humans on the same level of evil. It is extremely accurate.

Nicole Song

Actually, wolves are probably less evil than humans (as a collective).

CreativeUsernameEh

Wolves aren't capable of as much evil (or good!) as humans. They're just wolves.

hellfirehoeclub

wolves arent evil tho :( they get such a bad rap

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