The Elfking

Out late at night, in the cold biting wind
Father and child's wild ride begins
He keeps his son safe, all warm and secure
And yet he still shakes as true fear starts to form
"Son why wont you face me, what makes you afraid?
What do you see that makes you stray far away?"

"Father why can't you see what's in front of me?
He calls himself the Elfking and he has come for me
He offers me games and flowers that grow
On a shore that he'd very much like me to go"

The Elfking creeps forward, his crown tall and tail long
He whispers his promises as the old man rides on
"Son it's just the leaves as they rustle in their branches
So stay calm keep quiet, there's no one who advances"

"Father why can't you see what's in front of me?
He calls himself the Elfking and he has come for me
He offers his daughters, says they'll wait on me nightly
Rocking and dancing 'til they sing me to sleep"

The Elfking's daughters shimmer near the willows in this dark gloomy place
Does the father see them and if so, is it already too late?
He shouts "I see clearly son, we must keep riding on
Just hold on real tight we'll make it before dawn"

"Father I can't fight anymore, he's in front of me
He calls himself the Elfking and he has come for me
He calls my form beautiful, and so enticing
He'll take me by force if I don't go willingly"

As his son moans so softly held tight in his arms
The father rides swiftly to keep him from harm
As they reach the farm and their long ride ends
The father looks down, his sweet boy lays there dead

Another child is dead
It looks like the Elfking wins again