Erlkönig (c. 1782)

 

Who rides by night in the wind so wild?

It is the father, with his child.

The boy is safe in his father's arm,

He holds him tight, he keeps him warm.

 

My son, what is it, why cover your face?

Father, you see him, there in that place,

The elfin king with his cloak and crown?

It is only the mist rising up, my son.

 

"Dear little child, will you come with me?

Beautiful games I'll play with thee;

Bright are the flowers we'll find on the shore,

My mother has golden robes fullscore."

 

Father, O father, and did you not hear

What the elfin king breathed into my ear?

Lie quiet, my child, now never you mind:

Dry leaves it was that click in the wind.

 

"Come along now, you're a fine little lad,

My daughters will serve you, see you are glad;

My daughters dance all night in a ring,

They'll cradle and dance you and lullaby sing."

 

Father, now look, in the gloom, do you see

The elfin daughters beckon to me?

My son, my son, I see it and say:

Those old willows, they look so gray.

 

"I love you, beguiled by your beauty I am,

If you are unwilling I'll force you to come!"

Father, his fingers grip me, O

The elfin king has hurt me so!

 

Now struck with horror the father rides fast,

His gasping child in his arm to the last,

Home through thick and thin he sped:

Locked in his arm, the child was dead.

 

 

Translated by Christopher Middleton