Loreley

I do not know what it may signify
That I am so sad;
A tale from ancient times
That I cannot get out of my mind.

The air is cool and it darkens,
And calmly flows the Rhine;
The summit of the mountain sparkles
In the evening sunshine.

The most beautiful maiden sits
Up there, wonderfully fair;
Her golden jewelry gleams,
She combs her golden hair.

She combs it with a golden comb
And sings a song as she does;
It has a wondrous,
Powerful melody.

The boatman in his little boat
Is seized with wild woe;
He does not look at the rocky reefs,
He only looks up to the heights.

I think the waves will engulf
In the end the boatman and boat;
And this, with her singing,
Has been done by the Lorelei.