Tummeliten
Hop-o'-My-Thumb is what they called a tiny person in the 16th century. It's also the English name of a character in a French fairy tale by Charles Perrault called Le petit Poucet. He's sometimes called Little Thumb in English.
Hop-o'-My-Thumb is the youngest and smallest, but smartest of seven children. The children are threatened by an ogre. Hop-o'-My-Thumb bests the giant by stealing his magic boots while he is sleeping. This song is about the characters in the tale.
Tummeliten
Hop-o'-My Thumb
Children's Song
Children's Song
(Swedish)
(English)
Ett, två, tre, fyr, fem och sex och sju,
ut i skogen tågar alla nu.
Far går först och Tummeliten sist,
tyst det är, ej rörs en enda kvist.
Solen än ej stigit ur sin bädd,
mörk är skogen, så man kan bli rädd.
Men se barnen, fast de är så små,
tar sej nog fram i världen ändå.
Kära far och mor, godda', godda',
gråt ej mera, vi mår alla bra.
Jätten sover, han oss inte ser,
och vi tror han vaknar aldrig mer.
One, two, three, four, five and six and seven,
Everyone marches in the forest.
Father goes first and Hop-o'-My Thumb last,
They're silent, not a single twig touched.
The sun has not yet left its bed,
The forest is dark, so you might be scared.
But look at the children, even though they're small,
They go forward in the world anyway.
Dear Father and Mother, good day, good day,
Do not cry, we're all fine.
The giant is sleeping, he can't see us,
And we think he'll never wake again.
Notes
Written by Alice Tegnér.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Kaitlyn for translating this song for us!
1st illustration can be found in The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault (1922), illustrator - Harry Clarke (1889-1931). 2nd illustration by German artist, Alexander Zick (1845 - 1907).
Tack så mycket!
