Who rides so late through night and wind?
It's the father with his child;
He has the young lad safe in his arm,
He holds him tightly, he keeps him warm
"My son, why do you hide your face, so frightened?"-
"Don't you see, father, the Alder-King?
The Alder-King with his crown and tail?"-
"My son, it's a wisp of fog."
"You sweet child, come, go with me!
Such beautiful games I'll play with you;
There are lots of beautiful flowers on the shore;
My mother has many golden clothes"-
"My father, my father, and don't you hear,
What the Alder-King promises me softly?"-
"Hush now, stay quiet, my child;
The wind is whispering in dry leaves."-
"Do you want, fine lad, to go with me?
My daughters shall wait on you, hand and foot;
My daughters lead the nightly dance,
And they'll show you how to sway and dance and sing."-
"My father, my father, and don't you see
Alder-King's daughters in that dark place?"-
"My son, my son, I see it clearly:
The old willows shimmer so gray.-"
"I love you, your beautiful shape tantalizes me;
And if you are not willing, I'm going to use force."-
"My father, my father, now he's grabbing me!
Alder-King hurt me!"-
The father is filled with horror, he rides quickly
He holds the groaning child in his arm,
He just barely reaches the homestead
The child was dead in his arms.