Songs

Die Elfe

by Joseph Marx

If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.

Text & Translation

Die Elfe
source: Joseph von Eichendorff

Bleib bei uns! Wir haben den Tanzplatz im Tal
bedeckt mit Mondesglanze,
Johanneswürmchen erleuchten den Saal,
die Heimchen spielen zum Tanze.

Die Freude, das schöne leichtgläub'ge Kind,
es wiegt sich in Abendwinden:
Wo Silber über die Zweige rinnt,
sollst du die Schönste finden.

The Elf
English translation © Richard Stokes

Stay with us! We have bestrewn the valley floor
With moonlight for the dance,
Fireflies illuminate the hall,
Crickets make music for the dance.

Joy, that fair and gullible child,
Is lulled by evening winds:
Where silver ripples over the boughs –
There shall you find the fairest girl!

Die Elfe
source: Joseph von Eichendorff

The Elf
English source: Richard Stokes

Bleib bei uns! Wir haben den Tanzplatz im Tal
Stay with us! We have bestrewn the valley floor
bedeckt mit Mondesglanze,
With moonlight for the dance,
Johanneswürmchen erleuchten den Saal,
Fireflies illuminate the hall,
die Heimchen spielen zum Tanze.
Crickets make music for the dance.

Die Freude, das schöne leichtgläub'ge Kind,
Joy, that fair and gullible child,
es wiegt sich in Abendwinden:
Is lulled by evening winds:
Wo Silber über die Zweige rinnt,
Where silver ripples over the boughs –
sollst du die Schönste finden.
There shall you find the fairest girl!

Composer

Joseph Marx

Joseph Rupert Rudolf Marx was an Austrian composer and critic.

Poet

Joseph von Eichendorff

Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff was a German poet, novelist, playwright, literary critic, translator, and anthologist. Eichendorff was one of the major writers and critics of Romanticism. Ever since their publication and up to the present day, some…

Performances

Upcoming Performances

Help us with a Donation

Enjoying our texts and translations? Help us continue to offer this service to all.

Make a Donation

Select Tickets