You told me tales of love and glory

Same old sad songs, same old story

The sirens sing no lullaby

And no one knows but Lorelei



Castles out of fairy tales

Timbers shivered where once there sailed

The lovesick men who caught her eye

And no one knew but Lorelei



River, river have mercy

Take me down to the sea

For if I perish on these rocks

My love, no more I'll see



I've thought of you in far-off places

I've puzzled over lipstick traces

So help me God, I will not cry

And then I think of Lorelei



I travel far and wander wide

No photograph of you beside me

Old man River's not so shy

And he remembers Lorelei



River, river have mercy

Take me down to the sea

For if I perish on these rocks

My love, no more I'll see



If I should float upon this stream

We'll see you in my madman's dream

I'd sink into your troubled eyes

And none would know 'cept Lorelei



Oh river, river, river have mercy

Take me down to the sea

For if I perish on these rocks

My love, no more I'll see



But if my ship which sails tomorrow

Should crash against these rocks

My sorrows, I will drown before I die

It's you I'll see, not Lorelei