Erlkönig (Text: J. W. v. Goethe)

Lyrics:

© bleymehl
The Alder King

Who rides so late through night and wind?
It's the father with his child;
He has the young lad safe in his arm,
He holds him tightly, he keeps him warm

"My son, why do you hide your face, so frightened?"
"Don't you see, father, the Alder King?
The Alder-King with his crown and tail?"-
"My son, it's a wisp of fog."

"You sweet child, come, go with me!
Such beautiful games I'll play with you;
There are lots of beautiful flowers on the shore;
My mother has many golden clothes"-

"My father, my father, and don't you hear,
What the Alder-King promises me softly?"-
"Hush now, stay quiet, my child;
The wind is whispering in dry leaves."-

"Do you want, fine lad, to go with me?
My daughters shall wait on you, hand and foot;
My daughters lead the nightly dance,
And they'll show you how to sway and dance and sing."-

"My father, my father, and don't you see
Alder-King's daughters in that dark place?"-
"My son, my son, I see it clearly:
The old willows shimmer so gray.-"

"I love you, your beautiful shape tantalizes me;
And if you are not willing, I'm going to use force."-
"My father, my father, now he's grabbing me!
Alder-King hurt me!"-

The father is filled with horror, he rides quickly
He holds the groaning child in his arm,
He just barely reaches the homestead
The child was dead in his arms.
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