Episode 15 Preview - Der Erlkönig

We take a break before the conclusion of our love-centric episodes with a spooooky Halloween treat, "Der Erlkönig", with music by Franz Schubert and lyrics (i.e., the original poem) by Johann von Goethe.
You didn't really think we were going to do "Monster Mash" did you? This is classical music so there's no definitive version to listen to this week and I don't know how to transfer my old cassette tape version to digital.  I found these two versions on YouTube, the first being a super-scary puppet/cut-out version with the second a real-life performance of the song.

Also included is the original poem, in both German and English (thanks Wikipedia!).

"Der Erlkönig" (German w/ translation in bold text)

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind?

Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind;

Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm,

Er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm.

(Who rides, so late, through night and wind?
It is the father with his child.
He has the boy well in his arm
He holds him safely, he keeps him warm.)

"Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?" –

"Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht?

Den Erlenkönig mit Kron und Schweif?" –

"Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif."

("My son, why do you hide your face in fear?"

"Father, do you not see the Elfking?

The Elfking with crown and cape?"

"My son, it's a streak of fog.")

"Du liebes Kind, komm, geh mit mir!

Gar schöne Spiele spiel' ich mit dir;

Manch' bunte Blumen sind an dem Strand,

Meine Mutter hat manch gülden Gewand." –

("You dear child, come, go with me!

(Very) beautiful games I play with you;

many a colourful flower is on the beach,

My mother has many a golden robe.")

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und hörest du nicht,

Was Erlenkönig mir leise verspricht?" –

"Sei ruhig, bleibe ruhig, mein Kind;

In dürren Blättern säuselt der Wind." –

("My father, my father, and hearest you not,

What the Elfking quietly promises me?"

"Be calm, stay calm, my child;

Through scrawny leaves the wind is sighing.")

"Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehn?

Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön;

Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn,

Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein." –

("Do you, fine boy, want to go with me?

My daughters shall wait on you finely;

My daughters lead the nightly dance,

And rock and dance and sing to bring you in.")

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, und siehst du nicht dort

Erlkönigs Töchter am düstern Ort?" –

"Mein Sohn, mein Sohn, ich seh' es genau:

Es scheinen die alten Weiden so grau. –"

("My father, my father, and don't you see there
The Elfking's daughters in the gloomy place?"
"My son, my son, I see it clearly:
There shimmer the old willows so grey.")

"Ich liebe dich, mich reizt deine schöne Gestalt;

Und bist du nicht willig, so brauch' ich Gewalt." –

"Mein Vater, mein Vater, jetzt faßt er mich an!

Erlkönig hat mir ein Leids getan!" –

("I love you, your beautiful form entices me;

And if you're not willing, then I will use force."

"My father, my father, he's touching me now!

The Elfking has done me harm!")

Dem Vater grauset's, er reitet geschwind,

Er hält in Armen das ächzende Kind,

Erreicht den Hof mit Müh' und Not;

In seinen Armen das Kind war tot.

(It horrifies the father; he swiftly rides on,

He holds the moaning child in his arms,

Reaches the farm with great difficulty;

In his arms, the child was dead.)

So, listen, read, and don't be scared.  We'll watch each other's backs this Wednesday when the full episode goes live.