As you probably know Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is generally considered one of the most if not the most important German author/poet/writer. Through school and university, I majored in German Literature, I got to read quite a bit by him and I still nurture something of a love-hate-relationship with him.
But if there is non literary piece by him which I love dearly, it is “Der Erlkönig” (The Erl King). I love the pace, the sense of being hunted that Goethe manages to create. To me it feels very folktaley in its atmosphere which is captured quite well in the two musical adaptations included in this post. Or what do you think?
The Erl King
(translated by Edgar Alfred Bowring)
Who rides there so late through the night dark and drear?
The father it is, with his infant so dear;
He holdeth the boy tightly clasp’d in his arm,
He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm.
“My son, wherefore seek’st thou thy face thus to hide?”
“Look, father, the Erl King is close by our side!
Dost see not the Erl King, with crown and with train?”
“My son, ’tis the mist rising over the plain.”
“Oh, come, thou dear infant! oh come thou with me!
For many a game I will play there with thee;
On my beach, lovely flowers their blossoms unfold,
My mother shall grace thee with garments of gold.”
“My father, my father, and dost thou not hear
The words that the Erl King now breathes in mine ear?”
“Be calm, dearest child, thy fancy deceives;
the wind is sighing through withering leaves.”
“Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there?
My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care
My daughters by night on the dance floor you lead,
They’ll cradle and rock thee, and sing thee to sleep.”
“My father, my father, and dost thou not see,
How the Erl King is showing his daughters to me?”
“My darling, my darling, I see it aright,
‘Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight.”
“I love thee, I’m charm’d by thy beauty, dear boy!
And if thou aren’t willing, then force I’ll employ.”
“My father, my father, he seizes me fast,
For sorely the Erl King has hurt me at last.”
The father now gallops, with terror half wild,
He holds in his arms the shuddering child;
He reaches his farmstead with toil and dread,—
The child in his arms lies motionless, dead.
******
And of course, there needs to be the German original as well:
Der Erlkönig
(by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
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.
“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.”
“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.” —
“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.” —
“Willst, feiner Knabe, du mit mir gehen?
Meine Töchter sollen dich warten schön;
Meine Töchter führen den nächtlichen Reihn,
Und wiegen und tanzen und singen dich ein.” —
“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. —”
“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!” —
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.
*****
There have been numerous musical adaptations of this ballad. Among the most famous in Germany are the ones by Franz Schubert (see 1st vid) and Carl Loewe (see 2nd vid). Hilariously enough, Goethe apparently was not quite convinced by either of them. Have a listen for yourself – what do you think?
Seeing the English translation, one of Goethe’s particular strengths is obvious: The ability to write very compactly. Normally, German texts tend to be wordier and/or contain longer words than English texts, but here it is the other way around. (Although this may partially be a result of a compromises in translation. Generally, I feel that poetry translations are usually a lost cause before the fact.)
As an aside “Erl”, in this context, translates roughly as “Elf”.
Yes, that pops out, doesn’t it? That for once the English text is actually longer. And while this translation certainly isn’t perfect, it was important to me to pick one from the original time frame. Since I wouldn’t dare tackle this myself. 😀
And I’m aware of the Eller-Erl-Elf misunderstanding. But for me the German title in its mysteriousness is very much part of this ballads charm and atmosphere so I chose to keep the title translated like this. Instead of literally translating the ‘Erl’ or correcting the alleged error by putting elf.
Last but not least – thanks so much for the comment and the awesome input!
How funny (not the story – my reaction). I read this years ago as a kid, in a book of stories either at elementary school or one we had at home. I’ve not thought of it in years. It was a simpler translation, no “thou” or “dost” as I recall, but it seems to me it was still called The Erl King. I remember actually feeling that shudder in the final paragraph.
Wow. I’m kind of thrown by this memory. This story disturbed me back then — not the snatching by the Erl King, but the two of them out on horseback in the middle of the night.
Doesn’t surprise me that you somehow stumpled upon this as a child. It’s really one of the most famous German ballads. But it’s astonishing how strong such a memory can be, right?
And this is a disturbing story. I mean, it can be easily read as allegory for the very quintessential fear of losing your child – or your parents if you’re the child yourself. I especially love the seductiveness of the Erl King and how the father can’t hear that, how helpless he is. Love it from the perspective of a literary studies person because Goethe captured this perfectly. From a personal standpoint – meep! ;D