Hänschen klein

"Hänschen klein" (Little Hans, 1899) by Franz Wiedemann (1821–1882) is a German folk song that originated in the Biedermeier period (1815–1848) of German history in the 19th century, and later became a nursery song in the early 20th century.

Background

The folk-song lyrics of Hänschen klein tell of a boy who ventures from home into the world, and returns as a man to his family. In 1900, an abridged version of Hänschen klein became a nursery song for children to sing in kindergarten. Hans is a boy who leaves home for the world, but seven years later returns to hearth and home. Little Hans leaving home left his mother bereft until his return.

The melody of Hänschen klein is used in Lightly Row, a Mother Goose rhyme, and the children's song version, by Otto Frömmel, is the title music of the war movie Cross of Iron (1977). In the German-language version of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), the computer HAL 9000 sings "Hänschen klein", while an astronaut shuts it down.

Text and lyrics

 
Hänschen klein
Ging allein
In die weite Welt hinein.
Stock und Hut
Steht ihm gut,
Er ist wohlgemut.
Aber Mutter weinet sehr,
Hat ja nun kein Hänschen mehr!
"Wünsch dir Glück!"
Sagt ihr Blick,
"Kehr' nur bald zurück!"

Sieben Jahr
Trüb und klar
Hänschen in der Fremde war.
Da besinnt
Sich das Kind,
Eilet Heim geschwind.
Doch nun ist's kein Hänschen mehr.
Nein, ein großer Hans ist er.
Stirn und Hand
Braun gebrannt
Wird er wohl erkannt?

Eins, zwei, drei
Geh'n vorbei,
Wissen nicht, wer das wohl sei.
Schwester spricht:
"Welch Gesicht?"
Kennt den Bruder nicht.
Kommt daher sein Mütterlein,
Schaut ihm kaum ins Aug hinein,
Ruft sie schon:
"Hans, mein Sohn!
Grüß dich Gott, mein Sohn!"

Literal translation
Little Hans
Went alone
Into the wide world.
Stick and hat
Suits him well,
He is very cheerful.
But mother cries a lot
Hasn't got a little Hans anymore!
"Wish you luck!"
Says her look
"Come back soon!"

Seven years
Cloudy and clear
Hänschen was abroad.
Then, thinking about it
The child
Hurries home quickly.
But now it's no longer a little boy.
No, he is a great Hans.
Forehead and hand
Burned brown.
Will he be recognized?

One two Three
Go by
They don't know who this is.
Sister speaks:
"What face?"
Doesn't know the brother.
Hence comes his mother,
Hardly looks him in the eye,
She is already calling:
"Hans, my son!
God greet you, my son!"

Faithful translation
Little Hans
Went alone
In the Wider World to roam.
Staff and hat,
Suits him that!
He is really pleased.
But his mother cries so sore
For she has no Hänschen more
"Wish you luck!"
Says her look
"Just you come back soon!"

Seven year
Cloud and clear
Hänschen wandered far and near.
Then he thinks,
"No more jinks
Speed you home right now!"
But he is Young Hans no more.
No, it's Big Hans to the fore.
Nicely tanned
Brow and hand.
Will they know him now?

One two three
Pass and see
They don’t know who that may be.
Sister says:
"Whose that face?"
Knows her brother not.
But here comes his mother nigh,
Hardly looks him in the eye
Then a cry,
"Hans, Oh my!
God’s greetings, you, my son!."

Free translation
Little John
He has gone
Out to see the world alone
Staff and hat,
Look at that,
He's one happy cat.
But his mommy cries a lot
Now she has no Johnny got.
"Fortune find,
But you mind,
Come back to your kind."

Seven years,
Joy and tears,
John in many lands appears.
Then he thought
That he ought
To go home and got.
But now he's no Johnny small,
No, he is now big John tall.
Tall and tanned,
Face and hand.
Will they know this man?

One, two, three
Pass and see,
Don't know who this man might be.
Even Sis:
"Who is this?"
Knows not who he is.
Then along comes mother dear,
Barely sees his eyes so clear,
Says: "My son,
Welcome home,
God bless you my son."

Song for children

The lyrics for the children's song Hänschen klein (1899) are by Otto Frömmel (1873–1940).

Hänschen klein
ging allein
in die weite Welt hinein.
Stock und Hut
stehn ihm gut,
ist gar wohlgemut.
Aber Mutter weinet sehr,
hat ja nun kein Hänschen mehr.
Da besinnt
sich das Kind,
kehrt nach Haus geschwind.

Little Hans
went alone
out into the wide world.
Staff and hat
suit him well.
He is in good spirits.
But his mother cries so much,
for she no longer has little Hans.
Look! the child
changes his mind
and returns home quickly.

External links

• Media related to Hänschen klein at Wikimedia Commons
• Text of both versions, two MIDI renditions, ingeb.org