The Witches Are Back – English Lyrics

• By: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
• Album: Hocus Pocus 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the whimsical and witchy world of "The Witches Are Back"! This song, performed by the iconic Sanderson Sisters in *Hocus Pocus 2*, offers a fantastic opportunity to learn English through its energetic and memorable lyrics. You'll pick up lively vocabulary and expressions while enjoying the playful spirit of these beloved characters. Its catchy tune and direct message make it an engaging way to connect with the language.

[English]

Wo-ooh!

Now, listen up!

We were running wild, and so reviled

Raising Cain until we got exiled

But times are changing, now we're on the attack

Yeah the spell is gonna hit 'cha 'cause the witches are back!

Wo-oh-oh!

Sisters!

Yeah, the witches, the witches, the witches are back

Stone cold sinners as a matter of fact

I'm a witch! (I'm a witch!)

But I'm better than you!

Watch the way that we fly

The way that you'll die!

Wo-oh-oh! Oh!

Yeah, the witches, the witches, the witches are back

Stone cold meanies as a matter of fact

Yeah, the witches, the witches are coming for you

With the spells that we cast

My, this tempo is fast!

Wo-oh-oh!

All together now, girls!

Witch, witch, the witches are back!

We're back, wo-ho-ho!

Witch, witch, sing it to me!

The witches are back, back!

The witch, witch, witch, witch

The witches are back!

Oh, we're killing 'em!

Witch, witch!

Ha-ha! The witches are back, back!

The witches are back!

[Vocalizing/Laughter]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
witch /wɪtʃ/ B1	noun - a woman who practices magic or witchcraft
back /bæk/ A1	verb - to return or go back
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
wild /waɪld/ A2	adjective - uncontrolled or living in nature
revile /rɪˈvaɪl/ C1	verb - to criticize someone strongly and abuse them verbally
raise /reɪz/ A2	verb - to lift something up or cause something to increase
exile /ˈɛɡzaɪl/ B2	verb - to force someone to leave their country or home
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	verb - to make something different
attack /əˈtæk/ A2	verb - to try to hurt or defeat someone or something
spell /spɛl/ B1	noun - a magical formula or word to cast magic
hit /hɪt/ A1	verb - to strike someone or something
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - to move through the air using wings
sister /ˈsɪstər/ A1	noun - a female sibling
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - having a low temperature or unfriendly
better /ˈbɛtər/ A1	adjective - of a higher quality or ability
die /daɪ/ A2	verb - to stop living
cast /kæst/ B1	verb - to throw something or perform magic
fast /fæst/ A1	adjective - moving or happening quickly
kill /kɪl/ A2	verb - to cause someone or something to die
sinner /ˈsɪnər/ B2	noun - a person who breaks moral or religious rules

Key Grammar Structures

• We were running wild, and so reviled

  ➔ past progressive (was/were + verb‑ing)

  ➔ The verb "**were running**" is in the past progressive, showing an action that was ongoing in the past. "**reviled**" is a past‑participle used as an adjective.

• Raising Cain until we got exiled

  ➔ present participle clause (verb‑ing) + past simple

  ➔ "**Raising** Cain" uses the present participle to show an action happening at the same time as "we **got** exiled" (simple past).

• But times are changing, now we're on the attack

  ➔ present continuous (are + verb‑ing)

  ➔ "**are changing**" describes a situation that is in progress right now.

• Yeah the spell is gonna hit 'cha 'cause the witches are back!

  ➔ informal future with "gonna" + because clause

  ➔ "**is gonna hit**" = informal "is going to hit". "**'cause**" is a contraction of "because" introducing the reason.

• I'm better than you!

  ➔ comparative adjective (better + than)

  ➔ "**better than**" compares the speaker with another person, using the comparative form of "good".

• Watch the way that we fly

  ➔ imperative + relative clause (that + subject + verb)

  ➔ "**Watch**" is a command. The phrase "the way **that we fly**" is a relative clause describing "the way".

• The way that you'll die!

  ➔ future simple with modal "will" in a relative clause

  ➔ "**you'll**" = "you will". The clause "that **you'll die**" predicts an action in the future.

• All together now, girls! Witch, witch, the witches are back!

  ➔ exclamatory sentence + present simple verb "are"

  ➔ "**The witches are back!**" uses the present simple "are" to state a current fact with strong emotion.