Lyric

Through the black and bitter night

A father rides beneath the storm

His child held tightly to his chest

He drives the horse through wind and cold

No moon above

No road behind

Only the forest

Only the night

Hold on, my son

We're almost there

Keep your face against my chest

Don't fear the shadows in the trees

Just close your eyes and try to rest

Father, do you see him?

There, between the trees

A crown upon his head

He's looking straight at me

There's nothing there

It's only fog

The moon is playing with your eyes

Hold on to me

Don't be afraid

We'll soon be home tonight

Come with me

My beautiful child

Why do you tremble so?

Come with me

I'll take you somewhere

No winter winds will blow

Golden flowers fill my garden

Silver rivers touch the sky

Come with me

My beautiful child

Where nothing ever has to die

Father, father

Can't you hear him?

He's calling me away

It's only branches in the wind

There's nothing there, I swear

Faster through the forest

Faster through the rain

The father drives the horse ahead

But still the voice remains

Father, father

He's following us

I see him running through the trees

Faster, faster

Don't let him take me

Father, please

Please don't let go of me

Hold on

Hold on

I won't let anything take you

Why do you run from me, sweet child?

My daughters wait for you

They'll dance beneath the midnight stars

And sing the whole night through

They'll hold you gently in their arms

They'll rock you while you sleep

No pain

No fear

No tears again

Come away with me

Father, his daughters

I see them there

They're reaching through the dark

They're coming closer

Father, please

Those are the willows by the road

Their branches pale and grey

Don't look at them

Look at me

We're nearly there

Just stay awake

Father, father

He's following us

I see him running through the trees

Faster, faster

Don't let him take me

Father, please

Please don't let go of me

Hold on

Hold on

I won't let anything take you

I've asked you gently

I've offered you everything

But you refuse me

Very well

I love your face

I love your fear

I want you by my side

And if you will not come with me

I'll take you by force tonight

Father, father

He's got me

His hand is on my arm

Father, he's hurting me

Please, please

Make him stop

Hold on

We're almost home

Don't close your eyes

Stay with me

Son, stay with me

The horse tears through the darkness

Its hooves strike stone and mud

The father feels his child grow weak

He rides with all his strength

One more hill

One more turn

A light beyond the trees

The house, the door

They're almost there

Look, we're home

We're safe

I told you we'd make it

We're here, my son

Son

Look at me

We're home

You can open your eyes now

Son

Please

The wind fell quiet

The forest disappeared behind

The father held his child closer

But felt no movement in his arms

He had outrun the forest

He had outrun the storm

He had outrun the darkness

But not the Erlking

Come with me