A little man stands in the forest: text and notes
The melody for this children’s song is a folk tune that was first handed down in 1800. August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben composed the text about the mysterious little man. But what is it actually about?
Here you will find the lyrics and sheet music for the children’s song “A little man stands in the woods”.
A little man stands in the forest
1. A little man stands very still and silent in the forest .
It wears a cloak of pure purple
.
Say, who might that little man be,
standing alone in the forest
with the little crimson cloak?
2. The little man stands
on one leg in the forest and has a little black cap
on his head . Say, who might that little man be standing there alone in the forest with the little black little hat?
150 years after the text was written, the discussion as to whether the solution to the riddle song is a toadstool or a rosehip is still going on. The spoken 3rd stanza by an unknown author wants to suggest a clear explanation:
“The little man there on one leg
with his little red coat
and his little black cap
can only be the rosehip.”
However, the solution is not only unsatisfactory because rose hips are not alone and on one leg, but also because you cannot sing this 3rd verse! So the riddle will remain unsolved forever. . .