Why have you now become so sad,
daughter mine,
why have you now become so sad?
You used to be happy before,
now you are laughing no more!

“I have killed a darling wee dove,
mother mine,
I have killed a darling wee dove,
it was left there all on its own—
it was white as driven snow!”

No, it was no darling wee dove,
daughter mine,
no, it was no darling wee dove—
your pretty cheeks have turned so wan
and you look so full of grief.

“Ah, I have killed my tiny one,
mother mine,
ah, I have killed my tiny one 
o my poor dear little new born,
I’ll die of grief for my sin!”

And so what do you have in mind,
daughter mine,
and so what do you have in mind,
how intend you to make amends
and avoid the wrath God sends?

“I will go search for that flower,
mother mine,
I will go search for that flower 
that removes guilt many a time,
cools blood that’s boiling over.”

And where can you find that flower,
daughter mine,
and where can you find that flower,
wherever in all the wide world,
in which garden does it grow?

“Through the gate on top of that hill,
mother mine,
through the gate on top of that hill,
on that pillar, held with a nail,
on that noose that’s made of hemp!"

And what will you say to the lad,
daughter mine,
and what will you say to the lad,
who used to come here to our home?
To be with you he was glad.

“I’m sending him as a blessing,
mother mine,
I’m sending him as a blessing—
a worm in his soul till he dies
for he told me many lies!”

And what will you leave your mother,
daughter mine,
and what will you leave your mother,
who loved you so very dearly
and brought you up lovingly?

“This curse to you I will bequeath,
mother mine,
this curse to you I will bequeath:
you will not find a restful grave,
for wilfulness you me gave!"