Der Erlkönig [English translation]

Who rides so lately through night and wind?

It's the father with his child;

He's got the boy in his arm,

He holds him safely, he keeps him warm.

"My son, why do you hide your face so anxiously?"

"Don't you see the Erlking, father?

The Erlking with crown and coat?"1

"My son, it's a streak of fog."

"You lovely child, come, come with me!

I'll play oh so beautiful games with you;

There are a couple of colorful flowers near the shore,

My mother has a couple of golden robes."

"My father, my father, and don't you hear,

What the Erlking promises silently?"

"Be quiet, stay calm, my child;

The wind rustles through withered leaves."

"Do you, good boy, want to come with me?

My daughters shall take care of you nicely;

My daughters lead the nightly dance,

And lull and dance and sing you to sleep."

"My father, my father, and don't you see there

Erlking's daughters at the gloomy place?"

"My son, my son, I see it clearly:

It seems to be the old grey willows."

"I love you, I'm fascinated by your beautiful form;

And if you're not willing, I'll have to use force."

"My father, my father, now he is grabbing me!

Erlking has hurt me!"

The father shudders, he rides swiftly,

He holds the groaning child in his arms,

Reaches his home with effort and distress;

The child in his arms was dead.

1. It's not really clear what exactly "Schweif" means in this context. The literal translation would be "tail", but I'd rather say it's about the end of his coat.

• Artist:Franz Schubert
• Album:Poem by Goethe