The Erlking

More about The Erlking

This a picture to the ballad “The Erlking”, which was written by Johannn Wolfgang von Goethe:


Who rides so late through the night and wind?
It is the father with his child;
He has the boy in his arms,
He holds him securely, he keeps him warm.

My son, why are you hiding your face so fearfully? –
Father, can you not see the Erlking?
The Erlking with crown and tail? –
My son, it is a streak of mist. –

“You dear child, come, go with me!
I will play very beautiful games with you;
Many colorful flowers are on the shore,
My mother has many golden garments.” –

My father, my father, and do you not hear
What the Erlking promises me quietly? –
Be calm, stay calm, my child;
The wind rustles in the dry leaves. –

“Will you go with me, fine boy?
My daughters will look after you well;
My daughters lead the nightly dance
And rock and dance and sing you to sleep." -

My father, my father, and don't you see there
The Erlkönig's daughters in the gloomy place? -
My son, my son, I see it clearly:
The old willows seem so grey. -

"I love you, I am attracted to your beautiful figure;
And if you are not willing, I will use force." -
My father, my father, now he is touching me!
The Erlkönig has done me harm! -
The father is terrified; he rides quickly,
He holds the groaning child in his arms,
Reaches the farm with difficulty and hardship;
The child in his arms was dead.