Hansel and Gretel - The Father Comes Home - Act I

From the Bel Canto Opera production: After having had a profitable day selling his brooms, the Father comes home and cheers up the weary and downhearted Mother with a basket of goodies, until.....

MOTHER: God, I'm weary. Weary of living. Jesus, take care of us!
FATHER: Tra la la la,tra lal la la
Mother, I am on my way
Ra la la la, ra la la la
This has been my lucky day!
When you're poor like we are, Mother
every day is like the other
Never better, but only worse,
empty stomach and empty purse
Tra la la la, tra la la la
When you're poor, your life's a curse
Ra la la la, ra la la la
When you're poor, your life's a curse
when you're poor you're always needing
shelter, clothing warmth and feeding
We who have nothing bear the cross
When you're poor, no gain, no loss
Tra la la la, tra la la la,
Hunger makes the finest sauce.
Ra la la la, ra la la la,
Hunger makes the finest sauce.
They say hunger makes even slops taste great
if that is all that's on your plate
But look, I've got my flask of wine...
if I'm getting drink, the slops taste fine.
Tra la la la, tra la la la
Wine for me, and slops for swine
Ra la la la, ra la la la
Mother - see what I have brought...
MOTHER: Who's that? Good Lord, the bleating scared me to death
You're drunk! You've been eating!
There's wine on your breath.
FATHER: So what? The beast here inside erupted and cried " you feed me now... until I'm satisfied"
Tra la la la tra la la la
Hungry beasts won't be defied
Ra la la la, ra la la la
Food and drink can't be denied.
MOTHER: I know! Your beast is the worst.
His needs come first.
When he cries for wine, you must gratify his thirst!
FATHER: That's so. It's been a marvellous day...would you agree, my dear?
MOTHER: Please go! I get the bills we must pay
and you just disappear!
FATHER: Heigh-ho! No need to fret and fuss.
Supper will be a treat for us.
MOTHER: You'll see we've just bread and water.
For that you'll thank your son and daughter!
Cupboard bare, naught to spare,
just a half a loaf of bread to share.
FATHER: Tra la la la, tra la la la
You'll be thanking your lucky star
when you see how blessed we are!
Hush! Mother...Thish ish all for ush, Mother!
MOTHER: Ach, Gott, what's in there? Ham and butter, flour and sausage, eggs...so many...these have cost a pretty penny! carrots....onions...and, let's see...lots of coffee, and some tea.
BOTH: Tra la la la tra la la la
ra la la la. Hip Hurray! This has been our lucky day.
FATHER: I'll tell how lady luck came my way.
Down in Waldshut, where I have been,
There's the biggest fair there you've ever seen.
Hundreds, thousands, in jubilation...pockets full of money for the celebration
Bands were playing, flags were flying...so much money, everyone was buying
All the streets were full and swelling
holidays are made for trade and selling
Found a pitch with passers-by....got my brooms out and I began to cry: Buy brooms here! Buy brooms here! Get your brushes! Feather dusters! Besom brooms here!
You'd think there'd been a sweeping crisis...
I sold out at the highest prices!
Get out glasses for libation
I've got a bottle for tonight's celebration.
Here's to wealth!
MOTHER: Here's to health!
FATHER: But wait...we're missing the children!

words©Tom Boyd

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bel
• canto
• opera
• hansel
• gretel
• humperdinck
• Father
• Mother
• boyd

[baculkar]

Good, very good, its really excellent production, can you post more and more? Please.

[hughdrover]

Glad you enjoyed it. I have posted 3 other clips from this production. You can find them by clicking on hughdrover.

[JouninAkisa]

Tra la la la! The moment I heard this tune, I knew it would be with me for a long time. It's so catchy!

[PapaWilk]

The father's song was stuck in my head all day after I saw the opera this summer. The tune is lovely, triumphant. Very moving indeed. Does anyone know of any mp3 quality sources of this in English or German? This was a wonderful upload. Thank you!