[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
Castles out of fairytales
Timbers shivered where once there sailed
The lovesick men who caught her eye
And no one knew but Lorelei

[Chorus]
River, river, have mercy
Take me down to the sea
For if I perish on these rocks
My love no more I'll see

[Verse 3]
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

[Verse 4]
I travel far and wander wide
No photograph of you beside me
Ol' Man River's not so shy
And he remembers Lorelei
[Chorus]
River, river, have mercy
Take me down to the sea
For if I perish on these rocks
My love no more I'll see

[Verse 5]
If I should float upon this stream
And see you in my madman's dream
I'd sink into your troubled eyes
And none would know 'cept Lorelei

[Chorus]
River, river, have mercy
Take me down to the sea
For if I perish on these rocks
My love no more I'll see

[Verse 6]
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