Hatrack River Forum: Music Mavens: Who knows what song my mom used to sing to me?

This is topic Music Mavens: Who knows what song my mom used to sing to me? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=045441

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

When I was a very little girl, my mom would sing to me -- all kinds of different stuff. Last night while I was driving in the car, running late for work, I heard a very familiar song. I know this is the one that my ma used to sing, but I had to run into work before it was done, and I didn't get to hear the announcer say what it was or who wrote it.

So, music mavens, I'll give you the hints I can remember, and you can tell me the song. Then I can buy it and keep one copy for myself to have always and give another copy to Ma.

I'd ask Ma, but I'd kind of like this to be a surprise.

The song is in German. There is a sick kid, and his father is rushing him to the doctor or something on horseback (this is an old song, from before the days of 911). The kid keeps seeing the Angel of Death in pursuit. He asks his father, "Is that the Angel of Death?" And his father keeps telling him, "No, it's just a cloud" or "Nah, it's the wind." Anyway, the kid must have been right, because by the time they arrive, he is dead.

Now, the name for the Angel of Death is something that sounds like the "Elkhound", but I'm sure that's not it.

What? Your Ma sang you lullabies? How odd!

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :

The song is called "Erlkönig." It's a lied by Franz Schubert.

The erlkönig is the elf king.

Edit: The text is a poem by Goethe. I see from the wiki article that others have written versions, as well (not too surprising), but Schubert's is the most famous.

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

That's a freaky lullaby. I'm not sure how well I'd sleep after that. [Angst]

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

As opposed to Rock-a-Bye-Baby?

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

Now that you mention it, most lullabies seem intent on scaring babies. There are giant spiders attacking girls, strangely proportioned men falling to their death, starving pets, birds attacking people...

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PARENTS?!

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

You forgot about Ring Around the Rosie. [Evil]

You also seem unclear on the distinction between a lullabye and a nursery rhyme.

Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :

Yeah, that song creeps me out. I can't remember the recording I heard, but the guy who sang it gave me the willies. It's not a happy song. I'm with Mighty Cow, I don't think I'd be having pleasant dreams after that number. [Angst]

Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :

Honestly, I think lullabies are designed specifically to amuse those singing them. Lord knows the lyric component doesn't matter to the person being sung to; I only ever paid attention to the melody. So why not amuse ourselves by singing a delightful, peaceful melody about carpet bombing Iraq, or the black death, or AIDS?

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Megan:
The song is called "Erlkönig." It's a lied by Franz Schubert.

Thank you, Megan Music Maven!

I used to love it when Ma would sing that to me, and it was a thrill hearing it on the radio last night.

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

quote:
The kid keeps seeing the Angel of Death in pursuit. He asks his father, "Is that the Angel of Death?" And his father keeps telling him, "No, it's just a cloud" or "Nah, it's the wind." Anyway, the kid must have been right, because by the time they arrive, he is dead.

Now, the name for the Angel of Death is something that sounds like the "Elkhound", but I'm sure that's not it.

Erlkönig does not translate to anything close to "Angle of death". It's most frequently translated as "Elf King".

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :

[Smile]

Any time. It's a great song!

Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :

When Boo was very small, the only way he'd sleep was if I swaddled him tightly, held and rocked him, while humming the tune of "Daisy, Daisy." It got to the point that I'd sit there and sleep with him, rocking and humming. Even now, if I'm over-tired, my husband says I hum in my sleep sometimes.

Of course, now every time Boo hears me humming it, he says, "I don't like that song. Hush, Mama." [ROFL]

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

quote:
Originally posted by The Rabbit:
Erlkönig does not translate to anything close to "Angle of death". It's most frequently translated as "Elf King".

OK, but they have the same job of chasing down sick children and killing them, so I got the gist, no?

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

My mother sang Down in the Valley to me.

"Hear the wind blow, dear,
Hear the wind blow
Hang your head over
Hear the wind blow."

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese:
My mother sang Down in the Valley to me.

Mine too! Also "Shenandoah"

...away you rolling river...

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

eros, you weren't referring to Ring Around the Rosie with that Black Death comment, were you? 'Cuz it just isn't so.

Posted by Baron Samedi (Member # 9175) on :

There's another song that's based on the same story. It's called Dalai Lama, by Rammstein. Here are the lyrics, along with English translation for anyone who doesn't speak German. You've really got to hear it with the music, though. It's awesome.

[Evil]