Loreley [STTZ Myths]

# Preface The legend of the Loreley centers around a mythical siren who resides on the towering Loreley Rock, a striking cliff rising 132 meters above the Rhine River near Sankt Goarshausen, Germany. According to folklore, the Loreley—depicted as a mesmerizingly beautiful woman with golden hair—sits atop this rock, combing her hair and singing an enchanting song. Her voice is said to captivate passing sailors, distracting them from the treacherous currents and sharp rocks of the river below, ultimately leading to their doom. This tale is a cornerstone of German Romanticism, immortalized in literature and poetry, most notably by Heinrich Heine in his famous poem "Die Lore-Ley". The story of the Loreley parallels the Greek legend of the Sirens, who similarly used their hypnotic voices to lure sailors into shipwrecks. Both myths explore the timeless theme of beauty and allure as sources of both wonder and peril. The Loreley Rock itself remains a symbol of this haunting legend and a celebrated landmark that draws countless visitors enchanted by the mystique of the tale. The origin of the name "Loreley" is not fully clear, but may be a composition of the Middle High German "lorren" (to howl/to whine/to cry) and "ley" was derived the originally Celtic word "lika" which means "rock/cliff". This song is written in a reconstructed version of Old High German (OHG), how it may have been spoken around the 8th-10th century in north-western parts of today's Germany. # Loreley's Song [Vers 1] O rīn, o fluot, du bist mīn heim, mīn sang clingit swā hrein. Mīn klāga, mīn heilaga rūf, sēla cume ze mih. Diu wella brëhant, diu stima arhebet, daz herza in qual zeribbet. Diu felse trozan, daz scif irquimet, daz leid in mih walat. [Refrain] Āuwe, āuwe, mīn liod ist swar, Ein fluot fun smerc und trūro; Āuwe, āuwe, mīn herza bricht sār, Diu fluot ferslinget alla wunno. [Vers 2] Diu scifliuti daarin, in stolzara mahti, sie horetun mīna stima. Ir augo fliuozit in stumara nahti, daz sturm grim si gikimmant. O, daz ich klagan und weinan, ich im sculd an iram leid. Mīn liod schallit in diu scifs drōn, und bringit mir nioman zīt. [Refrain] Āuwe, āuwe, mīn liod ist swar, Ein fluot fun smerc und trūro; Āuwe, āuwe, mīn herza bricht sār, Diu fluot ferslinget alla wunno. [Brücke] Ob minne edo fluot wēr, mīn sang bilībent an ende. Ni ruon ich mēr – diu fluot sô glas, in stroum gibundan ich standu. [Refrain] Āuwe, āuwe, mīn liod ist swar, Ein fluot fun smerc und trūro; Āuwe, āuwe, mīn herza bricht sār, Diu fluot ferslinget alla wunno. # English Translation: [Verse 1] Oh Rhine, oh river, you are my home, My singing sounds so pure. My lament, my holy call, Soul, come to me. The waves break, the voice rises, The heart is torn in torment. The rocks defy, the ship capsizes, The sorrow floods into me. [Refrain] Alas, alas, my song is heavy, A flood of pain and mourning; Alas, alas, my heart breaks greatly, The river swallows all joy. [Verse 2] The boatmen therein, in proud might, They heard my voice. Their eyes flowed in silent night, The storm grimly overwhelmed them. Oh, that I lament and weep, I am guilty of their suffering. My song echoes in the ship's rooms, And brings me no time [back]. [Refrain] Alas, alas, my song is heavy, A flood of pain and mourning; Alas, alas, my heart breaks greatly, The river swallows all joy. [Bridge] Whether love or river [will stay], My song remains in the end. I rest no more – the flood so clear, Bound to the stream I stand. [Refrain] Alas, alas, my song is heavy, A flood of pain and mourning; Alas, alas, my heart breaks greatly, The river swallows all joy. # German Translation [Vers 1] Oh Rhein, oh Fluss, du bist mein Heim, Mein Gesang klingt so rein. Mein Klagen, mein heiliger Ruf, Seele, komm zu mir. Die Wellen brechen, die Stimme erhebt [sich], Das Herz wird in Qual zerrissen. Die Felsen trotzen, das Schiff kentert, Das Leid wallt in mir/überwältigt mich. [Refrain] Ach weh, ach weh, mein Lied ist schwer, Eine Flut aus Schmerz und Trauer; Ach weh, ach weh, mein Herz bricht sehr, Der Fluss verschlingt alle Wonne. [Vers 2] Die Schiffsleute darin, in stolzer Macht, Sie hörten meine Stimme. Ihre Augen flossen in stummer Nacht, Der Sturm brachte sie in Schrecken. Oh, sodass ich klage und weine, Ich bin schuld an ihrem Leid. Mein Lied schallt in den Schiffsräumen, Und bringt mir nimmer [die] Zeit [zurück]. [Refrain] Ach weh, ach weh, mein Lied ist schwer, Eine Flut aus Schmerz und Trauer; Ach weh, ach weh, mein Herz bricht sehr, Der Fluss verschlingt alle Wonne. [Brücke] Ob die Liebe oder der Fluss, Mein Gesang bleibt bis zum Ende. Ich ruhe nicht mehr – der Fluss [ist] so klar, An den Strom gebunden stehe ich. [Refrain] Ach weh, ach weh, mein Lied ist schwer, Ein Fluss aus Schmerz und Trauer; Ach weh, ach weh, mein Herz bricht sehr, Der Fluss verschlingt alle Wonne. # Disclaimer: AI-generated - this song and the cover art/video was created by or with the help of AI, in accordance with Art. 50 EU AI Act.