Upcoming - Videos - All Time - Ranking

From the community
Video

Erlkönig von Goethe (gebabbelt von einer aus Australien)

A reading in German of the poem "Erlkönig" by Goethe. A quick note to apologise for the mispronunciations and anywhere where the tone did not match the meaning of the words. This was the first time I'd seen many of these German words, but reading this poem aloud was a fun way of practising my German ;) English Translation from Wikipedia: Who rides here so late through night and wind? It is a father with his small child. He holds his son firm in his arms He clasps him safely, he keeps him warm. "My son, oh why do you look so afraid?" "See Father, don't you see the Erlking is there? The Erlking, Erlking with crown and cloak?" "My son, it's a wisp of mist." "My dearest child, come, go with me! all kinds of games I'll play with you; such lovely flowers bloom on the bank, and my mother has many golden clothes." "My father, my father, and do you not hear, What erlking promises sweetly to me?" "Stay peaceful, oh stay calm, dearest child; In leaves so dry there rustles the wind." "Will you dear boy, will you come with me My daughters soon they will wait on you; My daughters lead in the nightly dance And sway and dance and beckon to you." "My father, my father, and do you not see, The Erlkings daughters in that dark place?" "My son, my son, I see it so clear: Tis only the ancient willows so grey." "I love you, your fine figure attracts me so much; And if you're not willing, I'll take you by force." "My father, my father, he's grasping me now! Erlking has hurt me, has hurt me!" The father shudders, he quickens his pace, He holds in his arms the groaning child. He reaches home with haste and dread; In his arms, the child was dead. Original German: 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 gehn? 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.

Erlkönig von Goethe (gebabbelt von einer aus Australien)Video
Ben helps you get started

Found something worth sharing? Post a link, choose a clear title and join the conversation.

Share a video or link →Your account →Forgot your password?

Share a discovery

Found a video, picture or story? Add its link.

You can review the title and description in the next step.
BENDECHO SELECT

Finds in focus

From the last 21 days. Metrics show these finds’ lifetime totals.

Keep exploring

DISCOVERY · HIGHLIGHTS

In focus right now.

Published since 01.11.2026 · Metrics show these posts’ lifetime totals.

COMMUNITY SIGNALS

The community discovers

New finds and reactions. Each post appears only once.

Keep exploring