LITTLE HANS

LITTLE HANS

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This song is from the musical, Freudiana, based on the theories and case histories of Sigmund Freud. Freud invented psychoanalysis, a psychological theory based on the idea that many individuals are troubled by unconscious thoughts and desires their conscious mind cannot accept.  Through a process of "analysis" by "free association" of thoughts and dreams, the "analyst" uncovers the unconscious desires that manifest as symptoms (neurosis, sexual perversions, etc.), effecting a cure. As this cure became more elusive, the influence of psychoanalysis waned. But Freud's ideas remained fashionable, as this musical shows.
    "Little Hans" was one of Freud's famous case histories. Hans was phobic towards horses. Through an association of ideas, Freud traced the boy's phobia back to sexual desires: his fear of his father (symbolized by  horses) and desire for his mother. 
    The musical by the Alan Parsons Project (credited to Eric Woolfson) is literate, melodic, and witty, as this song shows (note the final line of the song). It ran for nearly a year in Vienna, translated into German (1990).
    "Professor" in the song refers to Freud himself. All the details are based on Freud's case history. Oddly, Freud did not personally analyze the boy (except for a single visit) but relied on the father's communications. Complete lyrics are below.

Little Hans, little Hans, what do you see?
The world is full of big surprises
Little Hans, little Hans, what can they be?
They come in many shapes and sizes

Little boys always love to play
But something is not quite right
Little Hans won't come out today
He's scared of a horse that might bite

Little Hans, little Hans, how can it be?
Your thoughts are filled with such confusion
Little Hans, little Hans what will you see?
You're barking up the wrong conclusion

Professor man asks him oh so nicely
Why will you not come out?
Little Hans tells him most politely
What he is thinking about

A ride in a tram, a lily white lamb, raspberry jam
Little Hans, little Hans, where will you go?
The world is full of compromises
Little Hans, little Hans, how will you know?
They come in many strange disguises

Professor man shakes his head and wonders
How will he work it out?
Little Hans tells him quite precisely
What he's been dreaming about

I jump in the bath and make myself laugh, I ride a giraffe

Little Hans, little Hans, I found a clue
I think I've made the right connection
Little Hans, little Hans, all I can do
Is give a common sense injection

Little boys grow up just like Daddy
Professor man has no doubt
Little Hans goes to sleep and wonders
What was he talking about?

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