Hello Little Girl
Paul Gemignani;Robert Westenberg;Danielle Ferland 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 Paul Gemignani is a 1960s show tune that is the opening number of the musical “Into the Woods” by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. It is performed by the wolf character who is attempting to seduce Little Red Riding Hood. The lyrics are filled with double meanings and foreshadowing. The wolf compliments Little Red’s “pink and plump” flesh and asks her to slow down so she can be captured, while at the same time warning her that her grandmother is in danger.
The song is masterfully written, with the wolf expertly using words and phrases to seduce Little Red, while the audience realizes the danger that she is in. The use of imagery and metaphor is also effective, with the wolf referring to Little Red as “one supple” and “one brittle,” the former being a reference to her youth and flexibility and the latter to her impending death. The wolf’s sinister intentions are not explicitly stated in the song, but the audience can sense that he is not to be trusted.
Overall, “Hello Little Girl” is a complex and expertly written song that sets the tone for the musical and introduces the audience to the dark and twisted fairy tale world of “Into the Woods.”
Line by Line Meaning
Wolf
A predatory animal greets a little girl
Good day, young lady
The wolf politely greets Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
The character being addressed by the wolf
Good day, Mr. Wolf
Little Red Riding Hood returns the greeting
Wolf
The wolf comments on the girl's appearance
Mmh
The wolf expresses pleasure or satisfaction
Uhh
The wolf makes a sound of anticipation
Look at that flesh
The wolf admires the girl's body
Pink and plump
The wolf describes the girl's appearance
Hello, little girl
The wolf speaks to Little Red Riding Hood again
This one's especially lush
The wolf is especially pleased with this girl's appearance
Delicious
The wolf indicates that he sees the girl as food
Mmh
The wolf expresses his enjoyment once again
Hello little girl
The wolf speaks to Little Red Riding Hood once more
What's your rush?
The wolf questions Little Red Riding Hood's hurry
You're missing all the flowers
The wolf suggests that Little Red Riding Hood is not taking time to enjoy her surroundings
The sun won't set for hours
The wolf implies that Little Red Riding Hood has plenty of time to take a leisurely pace
Take your time
The wolf encourages Little Red Riding Hood to go more slowly
Little Red
The wolf addresses Little Red Riding Hood affectionately
Mother said, "Straight ahead"
The wolf repeats what he claims is Little Red Riding Hood's mother's instruction
Not to delay
The wolf reminds Little Red Riding Hood of the importance of following instructions
Or be misled
The wolf warns Little Red Riding Hood to avoid becoming lost
Wolf
The wolf interrupts Little Red Riding Hood
But slow little girl
The wolf contradicts his previous advice, urging Little Red Riding Hood to be even slower
Mark! and hush
The wolf tells Little Red Riding Hood to be quiet and listen carefully
The birds are singing sweetly
The wolf points out the birds' song to Little Red Riding Hood
You'll miss the birds completely
The wolf implies that Little Red Riding Hood's haste is causing her to miss out on something beautiful
You're traveling so fleetly
The wolf remarks on Little Red Riding Hood's speed
Grandmother first
The wolf tells Little Red Riding Hood to prioritize visiting her grandmother
The Miss Plump
The wolf describes Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother
What a delectable couple
The wolf comments on the prospect of eating both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother
Utter perfection
The wolf is pleased with his plan
One brittle, one supple
The wolf describes the difference in texture between the two potential victims
One moment, me dear!
The wolf interrupts Little Red Riding Hood again, indicating a change in his demeanor or tone
Little Red
The wolf resumes addressing Little Red Riding Hood affectionately
Mother said, come what may
The wolf once again invokes the authority of Little Red Riding Hood's mother
Follow the path and never stray
The wolf tells Little Red Riding Hood to stick to the path indicated by her mother's instructions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind