[Gothic folk ballad, Sparse opening harmony that gradually blossoms into richer chordal textures, arpeggios, and countermelodic lines, eerie musical-theater storytelling style. Haunting female and male dual vocals (soft childlike for the children, deeper and colder for the witch and parents). Sparse acoustic guitar, low cello, distant fiddle, and subtle crackling fire sounds. Minor key, slow-building tension that rises into dramatic intensity on the oven scene then falls into quiet resolution. Dark fairy-tale atmosphere, William Blake meets Tim Burton mood.] [Verse 1 – Abandonment] The woods were thin and the bread was gone Mother said “take them out, leave them alone” Father’s heart broke but his hands still led Two small shadows deeper into the trees Hansel dropped white stones in the dark Gretel held tight to her brother’s arm They found their way home by the moonlight trail But the second night the birds ate the crumbs [Verse 2 – The House] Then the smell of sugar rose on the wind A house of gingerbread, windows of icing Candy canes for pillars, chocolate for doors They ate till their hunger was quiet once more A soft old woman with a crooked smile [spoken word by old witch] “Come in, my dears, rest for a while” Warm milk and cakes, soft feather beds But the cage was waiting behind the shed [Chorus] Oh the candy calls and the fire waits In the dark of the woods where the hunger hates Little hands, little feet, little beating hearts Will the oven claim them or will they start? [Verse 3 – The Trap] Hansel grew fat in the iron cage Gretel swept floors and watched the flames The witch checked his finger every day [spoken word by old witch] “Thinner still, girl—keep the fire at bay” But Gretel was quiet and Gretel was smart She asked the old woman to show her the art [spoken word by old witch] “How do I check if the oven is hot?” The witch leaned in… and the door slammed shut [Bridge – Turning] The fire roared high, the candy walls shook Two children ran free with the treasure they took Jewels in their pockets, pearls in their hair They followed the path that the stones once shared [Final Chorus / Outro] Oh the candy calls and the fire waits But the clever ones walk out the gate Home to a father whose tears still fall The house is empty… the woods keep it all
