Curlew calling down the slack, 
When grey rains are falling, 
From the bitter town and black, 
Curlew, I am coming back,
Curlew calling! 

Hawk a-hover on the wind, 
Look for me, your lover, 
Come from barren ways and blind, 
Where men seek but never find, --
Hawk a-hover!

Grey snipe drumming in the gloam, 
I am coming, coming, 
Never from my kind to roam. 
Grey snipe, I am coming home, 
Grey snipe drumming.