posted
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!
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
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.
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
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?!
Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
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. Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
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?
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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.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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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".
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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Any time. It's a great song!
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Boon
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posted
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."
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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?
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posted
eros, you weren't referring to Ring Around the Rosie with that Black Death comment, were you? 'Cuz it just isn't so.Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
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.
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