Loreley Engels
( Melodie: Friedrich Silcher, 1838 Text: A.C.A. Elderson-de Boer, 2004 )
Oh why should such sadness beset me
with feelings of fathomless grief?
A tale that came down through the ages
is leaving me without relief.
The air is cool and the darkness
enfolds the Rhine’s gentle flow.
The last of the sunrays just touches
the tip of the mount with its glow.
The river’s most beautiful maiden
there sits in the soft golden light.
Her pure golden necklaces shimmer,
she brushes her tresses so bright.
While brushing her hair she is singing
a song of a beauty unknown.
Its echo resounding e’en after
is spent its miraculous tone.
The tiniest boat rounds the corner.
The sound leads the skipper astray.
Not heeding the dangerous cliffs, he
looks up and thus loses his way.
Alas, the unfortunate skipper
will fall from his boat and be drowned.
Like many, he’s falling a victim
to Loreley’s treacherous sound.