Der ErlkDer Erlköönignig(The Elf King)(The Elf King)

Music by

Franz Schubert

Words by

Johann Wolfgang

von Goethe

NarratorNarrator – middle range, minor key– middle range, minor key

FatherFather – low range, minor and major keys– low range, minor and major keys

SonSon – high range, minor key, fearful– high range, minor key, fearful

ErlkingErlking – softly, up and down, major key, sneaky– softly, up and down, major key, sneaky

Who rides so late through night and wind?Who rides so late through night and wind?It is the father with his child.It is the father with his child.He holds the boy safe in his armsHe holds the boy safe in his armsHe holds him safe, he keeps him warm.He holds him safe, he keeps him warm.

NarratorNarrator

"My son, why do you hide your face so fearfully?""My son, why do you hide your face so fearfully?""Father, do you not see the Erlking?"Father, do you not see the Erlking?The Erlking with crown and tail?"The Erlking with crown and tail?""My son, it's a wisp of fog.""My son, it's a wisp of fog."

"You beautiful child, come, go with me!"You beautiful child, come, go with me!Nothing but beautiful games I'll play with you;Nothing but beautiful games I'll play with you;Many colorful flowers are on the shore,Many colorful flowers are on the shore,My mother has many golden robes."My mother has many golden robes."

"My father, my father, "My father, my father, can't you hear,can't you hear,what the Erlking what the Erlking quietly promises me?“quietly promises me?“

"Be calm, stay calm, "Be calm, stay calm, my child;my child;It is the wind rustling It is the wind rustling in the dry leaves."in the dry leaves."

"Do you want to come with me, fine lad?"Do you want to come with me, fine lad?My daughters should already be waiting for you;My daughters should already be waiting for you;My daughters lead the nightly folkdanceMy daughters lead the nightly folkdanceAnd rock you and dance and sing."And rock you and dance and sing."

"My father, my father, and can't you see there,"My father, my father, and can't you see there,The Erlking's daughters in the gloomy place?"The Erlking's daughters in the gloomy place?""My son, my son, I see it well:"My son, my son, I see it well:It is the old grey willows gleaming."It is the old grey willows gleaming."

"I love you, your beautiful form charms me;"I love you, your beautiful form charms me;And if you're not willing, I will force you."And if you're not willing, I will force you.""My father, my father, now he takes hold of me!"My father, my father, now he takes hold of me!The Erlking has wounded me!" The Erlking has wounded me!"

It horrifies the father; he rides swiftly,It horrifies the father; he rides swiftly,Holding in his arms the moaning child.Holding in his arms the moaning child.He reaches the yard with great difficulty;He reaches the yard with great difficulty;In his arms, the child was dead. In his arms, the child was dead.

NarratorNarrator

PowerPoint by Meredith Harley InserraPowerPoint by Meredith Harley Inserra