"Why does your sword drip with such blood,
Edward, Edward?
Why does your sword drip with such blood
And why do you go so sadly there, O?"
"O, I have killed my hawk so good, 
Mother, Mother;
O, I have killed my hawk so good, 
And I had no more but he, O!"

"Your hawk's blood was never so red,
Edward, Edward!
Your hawk's blood was never so red,
My dear son, I tell you, O!"
"O, I have killed my red-roan steed,
Mother, Mother;
O, I have killed my red-roan steed,
That was once so fair and free, O!"

"Your steed was old, and you have got more,
Edward, Edward!
Your steed was old, and you have got more,
Some other thing troubles you, O!"
"O, I have slain my father dear,
Mother, Mother;
O, I have slain my father dear,
Alas and woe is me, O!"

"And what penance will you do for that,
Edward, Edward?
And what penance will you do for that,
My dear son, now tell me, O!"
"I'll set my feet in yonder boat,
Mother, Mother;
I'll set my feet in yonder boat,
And I'll go over the sea, O."

"And what will you do with your towers and your house,
Edward, Edward?
And what will you do with your towers and your house
That were so fair to see, O?"
"I'll let them stand till they fall down,
Mother, Mother;
I'll let them stand till they fall down,
For here never more may I be, O."

"And what will you leave to your children and wife,
Edward, Edward?
And what will you leave to your children and wife,
When you go over the sea, O?"
"The world has room, let them beg through life,
Mother, Mother;
The world has room, let them beg through life,
For them never more will I see, O."

"And what will you leave to your mother dear,
Edward, Edward?
And what will you leave to your mother dear,
My dear son, now tell me, O!"
"The curse of hell from me shall ye bear,
Mother, Mother;
The curse of hell from me shall ye bear,
For the counsel ye gave to me, O!"

Three lads crossed over the Rhine
They stopped off at a woman’s inn,
“Madam Innkeeper, do you have good beer and wine?
Where is your beautiful young daughter?”

“My beer and wine are fresh and clear,
My young daughter lies on a bier of death.”
And as they went into her chamber,
She lay there in a black shrine.

The first drew back the shroud
And looked at her with sorrowful gaze:
“Ah, were you still alive, beautiful maiden!
I would love you from this time onward!”

The second replaced the covering
And turned away, weeping for what he saw:
“Ah, that you now lie on the bier of death!
I have loved you for so many years!”

The third once more removed the veil
And kissed her mouth, so very pale:
“I have always loved you, I love you still today
And I will love you for all eternity!”

Who's riding so late through night, so wild?
It is the father who's holding his child;
He's tucked the boy secure in his arm,
He holds him tight and keeps him warm.

My son, why hide you your face in fear?"
See you not, father, the Erl King near?
The Erl King in his crown and train?"
My son, 'tis but a foggy strain."

Sweet lovely child, come, go with me!
What wonderful games I'll play with thee;
Flowers, most colorful, yours to behold.
My mother for you has garments of gold."

My father, my father, and can you not hear
What Erl King is promising into my ear?"
Be calm, stay calm, o child of mine;
The wind through dried leaves is rustling so fine." 

Wouldst thou, fine lad, go forth with me?
My daughters should royally wait upon thee;
My daughters conduct each night their song fest
To swing and to dance and to sing thee to rest."

My Father, my father, and can you not see
Erl King's daughters, there by the tree?" 
My son, my son, I see it clear;
The ancient willows so grey do appear."  

I love thee, I'm aroused  by thy beautiful form;
And be thou not willing, I'll take thee by storm."
My father, my father, he's clutching my arm!
Erl King has done me a painful harm!"

The father shudders and onward presses;
The gasping child in his arms he caresses;
He reaches the courtyard, and barely inside,
He holds in his arms the child who has died.