Der Erlkönig Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
"Der Erlkönig" ("The Erl King"; often called just "Erlkönig") is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being.The poem has been used as the text for lieder (art songs for voice and piano) by many classical composers; a list appears here. Of these, the most famous is undoubtedly the one by Franz Schubert, his op. 1 (D. 328, 1815).
The poem begins with a young boy being brought to either the court, or back to his home by his father, perhaps a farmer or some sort of peasant. This seems to be apparent as the doctor was not called to come to the boy, and the fact that Hof has the double meaning of "court yard" or "farm house".
The song begins by giving the impression that the child is simply dying from a strange disease, and is seeing death as a figment of his imagination. As it proceeds, the poem takes an ever darker twist, and it ends with the death of the child.
Original German (G)
English Translation (E)
1.(G)Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind?
(E)Who's riding so late, through night and wind?
2.(G)Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind;
(E)It is the father, with his child
3.(G)Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm,
(E)He has the young lad clasped in his arms,
4.(G)Er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm.
(E)He holds him securely, he holds him warm
5.(G)Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?
(E)My son, why do you hide your face?
6.(G)Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht?
(E)Father, don't you see the Erl King?
7.(G)Den Erlenkönig mit Kron und Schweif?
(E)The Earl King, with his crown and cape tail?
8.(G)Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif.
(E)My son, it's just a strip of fog.
9.(G)"Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir!
(E)You lovely child, come with me!
10.(G)Gar schöne Spiele spiel ich mit dir;
(E)So many lovely games I will play with you.
11.(G)Manch bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand,
(E)Many bountiful flowers are by the strand,
12.(G)Meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand."
(E)My mother has many golden outfits.
13.(G)Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörest du nicht,
(E)My father, my father, can't you hear,
14.(G)Was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht?
(E)The promises the Earl King is whispering to me?
15.(G)Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind;
(E)Be quiet, stay quiet, my child;
16.(G)In dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind.
(E)It's just the dry leaves rustling in the wind.
17.(G)"Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn?
(E)If you want fine things to eat, come with me.
18.(G)Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön;
(E)My daughters will tend to you.
19.(G)Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn,
(E)My daughters will put you bed every night,
20.(G)Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein."
(E)And they will sing and dance until you fall asleep.
21.(G)Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort
(E)My father, My father, can't you see over there?
22.(G)Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort?
(E)The Earl Kings Daughters at that dreary place?
23.(G)Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh es genau:
(E)My son, my son, I see it exactly,
24.(G)Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau. -
(E)It's just the old weeping willows so grey.
25.(G)"Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt;
(E)I love you, your beautiful figure turns me on;
26.(G)Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch ich Gewalt."
(E)And if you're not willing, then I will use force.
27.(G)Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt faßt er mich an!
(E)My father, my father, he's grabbing me!
28.(G)Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan!
(E)The Earl King has done something terrible to me!
29.(G)Dem Vater grausets, er reitet geschwind,
(E)The father becomes stern, he rides quicker.
30.(G)Er hält in Armen das ächzende Kind,
(E)He Holds in his arms, the moaning child.
31.(G)Erreicht den Hof mit Mühe und Not;
(E)He arrives at the Farm with difficulty and urgency.
32.(G)In seinen Armen das Kind war tot.
(E)In his arms, the child is dead.
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