The Witches Are Back – English Lyrics

• By: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
• Album: Hocus Pocus 2

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the spellbinding song "The Witches Are Back" from *Hocus Pocus 2*! This lively track, performed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, is a modern twist on a classic theme, perfect for learning about playful language and celebrating the fun of Halloween. Get ready to sing along and enjoy the witches' return!

[English]

Hoo!

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 ya

'Cause the witches are back

(Whoa-oa-oa)

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

(Whoa-ho-ho)

Hoo!

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 (whoa-oa-oa)

All together now, girls

Witch, witch

The witches are back

We're back (whoa-ho-ho-ho)

Witch, witch

Sing it to me

The witches are back, back

The witch, witch (witch, witch)

The witches are back

We're killing them

Witch, witch (ha-ha)

The witches are back, back

The witches are back

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
witch /wɪtʃ/ B1	noun - A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, usually represented as wearing a black pointed hat and riding a broomstick.
back /bæk/ A2	adjective - Returned to a previous position or state; present again after an absence.
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - To move quickly on foot, using strides in which both feet are momentarily off the ground.
wild /waɪld/ B1	adjective - (Of a person or their behavior) uncontrolled, unruly, or extravagant.
revile /rɪˈvaɪl/ C1	verb - To criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.
exile /ˈɛksaɪl/ B2	verb - To expel and bar (someone) from their native country, typically for political or punitive reasons.
attack /əˈtæk/ B1	noun - An aggressive and violent act against a person or place.
spell /spɛl/ B1	noun - A form of words used as a magical charm or incantation.
hit /hɪt/ A2	verb - To strike with a blow or missile.
sinner /ˈsɪnər/ B2	noun - A person who transgresses against divine or moral law.
fly /flaɪ/ A2	verb - (Of a bird, bat, or insect) move through the air using wings.
die /daɪ/ A2	verb - To stop living.
cast /kæst/ B2	verb - To perform (a magical spell).
fast /fæst/ A1	adjective - Moving or capable of moving at high speed.
kill /kɪl/ A2	verb - To cause the death of (a person, animal, or other living thing).

Key Grammar Structures

• We were running wild

  ➔ Past Continuous

  ➔ Describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, often to set the scene or as background for another event. Here, "were running" shows an ongoing state.

• until we got exiled

  ➔ Get-Passive Voice

  ➔ An informal alternative to the "be-passive," used to describe something that happens to the subject, often implying an adverse or unexpected event, or that the subject takes action to get something done. Here, "got exiled" means they were exiled.

• But times are changing

  ➔ Present Continuous for ongoing change/trends

  ➔ Used to describe trends or general situations that are happening and developing over a period of time, emphasizing that the change is ongoing. Here, "are changing" refers to a current evolution.

• the spell is gonna hit ya

  ➔ 'Be going to' (informal 'gonna') for future prediction

  ➔ Expresses a future event that is already planned or predicted based on present evidence, often used informally as "gonna." Here, "is gonna hit" indicates a strong certainty about the spell's effect.

• But I'm better than you

  ➔ Comparative Adjective

  ➔ Used to compare two people or things, indicating that one possesses a quality to a greater degree than the other. "Better" is the irregular comparative form of "good," followed by "than" to introduce the object of comparison.

• Watch the way that we fly

  ➔ Defining Relative Clause

  ➔ A clause that provides essential information about the noun it modifies ("way"), without which the meaning of the sentence would be unclear. Here, "that we fly" specifies which 'way' is being referred to.

• The witches are coming for you

  ➔ Present Continuous for future arrangements/intentions

  ➔ Used to describe a definite future event or arrangement that has been planned or is already in progress towards a future point. Here, "are coming" suggests a deliberate, imminent approach.

• With the spells that we cast

  ➔ Defining Relative Clause (with omitted pronoun)

  ➔ Similar to the previous example, this clause provides essential information about "spells." The relative pronoun "that" (or "which") can often be omitted when it functions as the object of the clause, as it does here: "the spells (that) we cast."

• Sing it to me

  ➔ Imperative + Object Pronouns (Direct and Indirect)

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give commands or instructions. Here, "Sing" is the imperative verb, "it" is the direct object pronoun, and "me" is the indirect object pronoun, showing who benefits from the action.

• We're killing them

  ➔ Present Continuous for strong intention/imminent action

  ➔ While often used for ongoing actions, the present continuous can also convey a strong, determined intention or an action that is about to happen, especially when used dramatically. Here, "are killing" suggests an aggressive, decisive act.