☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics tell the story of Hansel and Gretel in a modern and humorous way.
- It's about a witch's house in the forest, where Gretel undresses to give Hansel a private show.
- The witch earns a lot of money from this and is portrayed as a successful entrepreneur.
- The youth protection agency tries to prevent the inappropriate situation, but so far without success.
- The song lyrics satirize the scandal of Hansel and Gretel and humorously highlight the absurdity of the situation.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Hänsel und Gretel - Skandal um Hänsel und Gretel" by
Otto Waalkes tell the story of Hänsel and Gretel, but in a modern and humorous way. It is about a witch's house in the forest, where Gretel undresses to give Hänsel a private show. The witch who lives in this witch's house has already advertised and earns a lot of money with it.
The text plays with the idea of the witch as a businesswoman who offers her services and also disregards youth protection. It is made clear that the witch is not clumsy and is earning a lot of money with it.
"And outside the big city, the youth protection department is waiting" shows that the youth protection department is trying to prevent this inappropriate situation, but so far without success. A scandal is brewing around Hänsel and Gretel.
Overall, Otto Waalkes presents the well-known fairy tale classic "Hänsel and Gretel" in a funny and modern way. The absurdity of the situation is humorously pointed out and the scandal surrounding Hänsel and Gretel is ironically commented on.