Guten Nacht I'll be dead before dawn Kind, mein Sohn I'll be dead before dawn And though your eyes appear wry and withdrawn I'll be dead before dawn I'll be dead before dawn
Father! Father! I fear for the night when the Erl King comes to collect us. Father! Father! I fear for my soul as you should
Father! Father! Make sense of the right Let's turn back our horse and flee from this unsightly terror, that is trembling through these woods.
My son, you must be pacified these scenes of dreams are only imagination My son, you must be satisfied I'll keep you safe from fancy apparitions.
My dear young one with eyes so wild Be still my son, you waggish child. I'll hold your head and keep you warm There's nothing here to harm you.
Child, you're beautiful Come lie with the Erl King Child, you're beautiful Come quiet, come willing
The gifts I could give to you-- The wind and the wild river spring Child, you're beautiful Come quiet, come willing.
Father! Father, can you hear his cries? when the Erl King comes to collect us? Father! Father! I fear for my soul as you should. Father! Father! Make sense of the right Let's turn back our horse and flee from this unsightly terror that is trembling through these woods.
My dear young one, I hear it clear A hooing owl burrows near No Tophet trolls or urchin fears There's nothing here to harm you.
Child, you're beautiful Come lie with the Erl King Child, you're beautiful Come quiet, come willing
The gifts I could give to you-- The wind and the wild river spring Child, you're beautiful Come quiet, come willing.
Father gallops frantically, trembling with dread, For when he reached the weeping hearth The child was dead.