Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Sings Schubert's "Der Erlkönig" 1965 (With English Translation)

With Gerald Moore at the piano. A very moving rendition of Schubert's setting of this terrifying poem by Goethe.  English translation below.

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

"My son, why are you hiding your face like that?"
"Father, don't you see the Elfking?
The Elfking with a crown and a tail?"
"My son, it's just the fog."

"Come dear child, come with me!
I'll play lovely games with you;
There are some colorful flowers on the beach,
And my mother has some golden garments."

'My father, my father!  Don't you hear
What the Elfking is promising me?'
"Be calm, be calm, my child;
It's just the wind rustling in the leaves."

"Do you want to come with me, dear boy?
My daughters will wait on you;
My daughters will lead a dance,
And rock you, dance you and sing you to sleep."

"My father, my father! Don't you see them?
The Elfking's daughters in that eerie place?"
"My son, my son,  yes, I see it clearly:
It's just old grey willows shimmering."

"I love you, you're beautiful!;
If you don't come willingly,  I'll use force!"
"My father, my father, he's grabbing me!
The Elfking is hurting me!"

It horrifies the father; but he rides on,
He holds the moaning child in his arms,
With effort and trouble he reaches his farm,
But In his arms, the child was DEAD!!

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