Swan maiden

Down by the lake in November rain
Ghostly trees veiled in mists of grey
There upon the shore lay a knight who swore
He'd set out for a precious prey
When a graceful swan dressed in purest white
Stepped ashore in the dead of the night
And before his eyes, taking off her disguise
She turned to a maiden fair

O how much he longed to forever behold
The beauty he met by that lake
And within his reach lay all he could seek
Her magic was his to take
With his heart set to burn too strong was his yearn
His glance was fixed by the queen
In an instant of time he made up his mind
And took away her white plume

Despite all her pleas, caught in selfish needs
He tied her in magical bond
She followed the spell and guarded him well
Forever to keep him safe
Until one sad day in the first dawn of May
The knight then met with his fate
For when battle arose she was watching too close
And died by the blow of his sword

Down by the lake in November rain
A knight walks the lonely shore
Falling down on his knees he is begging her please
Rise for me evermore!
But he cries out in vain, too strong is his pain
The maiden forever lost!
Now the proud knight is dying, his cruel heart is lying
Next to the one he loved most