1
I know not if there is a reason
2
Why I am so sad at heart.
3
A legend of bygone ages
4
Haunts me and will not depart.
5
The air is cool under nightfall.
6
The calm Rhine courses its way.
7
The peak of the mountain is sparkling
8
With evening's final ray.
9
The fairest of maidens is sitting
10
Unwittingly wondrous up there,
11
Her golden jewels are shining,
12
She's combing her golden hair.
13
The comb she holds is golden,
14
She sings a song as well
15
Whose melody binds an enthralling
16
And overpowering spell.
17
In his little boat, the boatman
18
Is seized with a savage woe,
19
He'd rather look up at the mountain
20
Than down at the rocks below.
21
I think that the waves will devour
22
The boatman and boat as one;
23
And this by her song's sheer power
|