Inspired by Der Erlkönig (a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).
lyrics
A man rides swiftly in the night, with his son upon his knee
The child cries out "Ride faster, from the Erl-King must we flee!"
But the father keeps a steady pace, "My son 'twas just a dream
There's no such thing as fair elfland, or of the Erl-King"
He holds his son more gently now, as they ride toward the town
"But Father, he's behind us in his flowing robe and crown!"
"Be calm, its just the fog my son, nothing else you could have seen,
There's no such thing as fair elfland, or of the Erl-King"
"Dear boy, don't heed your father's words, take my hand and come with me
You'll play in fields of flowers, take thy rest beneath a tree
My mother, she will dress you child, in her golden garments fair
I am the King of fair Elfland, and I will take you there!"
"Oh father hear him whisper now? Such promises he makes me!
But father, I'm afraid to go, so do not let him take me!"
"Wind is all there is to hear my child, nothing else it could have been,
There's no such thing as fair elfland, or of the Erl-King"
"Sweet boy, come fast away with me, my daughter's they will greet thee
You'll join their nightly dancing and they'll sing to you most sweetly
They will rock you fast asleep, and attend to thee with care
I am the King of fair Elfland, and I will take you there!"
"Oh father, see his daughters there! All in the darkness standing?"
"My son, I see that you are right, grey willow trees are dancing.
Hush and rest your fevered mind my son, and listen to me sing
Think no more of daughters fair, or of the Erl-King"
"I love you boy, your handsome form has charmed me quite completely,
Since you'll not come with me by choice, than I'll not give you any!"
"Father, oh my father dear, he's here to take me from thee!
Oh Father, I was right to fear, the Erl-King has claimed me!"
The father shudders, spurs his steed, holds close his moaning child
Makes haste for home at greatest speed, his heart has grown wild
With urgency he enters, lays his ailing son in bed
Too late! Too late! And all in vain, his boy, his darling child, dead.
credits
from Mine to Love,
released June 22, 2013
Shanti Singleton: vocals
Alexander James Adams: Erl-King's vocals, fiddle, and percussion
Betsy Tinney: cello
Mickey Phoenix: father's vocals and guitar
Leannan Sidhe is a fey musician with wandering feet, a shimmering soprano voice, and who writes music that tends to the bittersweet. She performs mostly in the Pacific Northwest, but will happily travel further abroad if the opportunity is provided.
If you love my instrumentals and backing vocals, go listen to Betsy and Alec play on the Tricky Pixie album and discover the magic that is S.J. Tucker! Leannan Sidhe
I walked away from playing music ten years ago, disgusted with music and myself. SJ Tucker's songs have played no small part in bringing me back in a truly strange yet beautiful way. The blisters on my fingers and the gloom in my heart are nearly healed. I sat down my new acoustic guitar to write a comment about some heavy medicine and now I'm going to get back to my therapy. I can't thank you enough SJ! Keep up the good work! roddylloyd