My dove1, my dove, my darling mother,
Don't give father a goblet of green wine,
Ah, don't let father drink the green wine -
He'd sell his daughter to a faraway land.
Ah, father sold me to a foreign land,
Beyond strong rapids, beyond everlasting letters,
Ah, beyond strong rapids, beyond everlasting letters,
No buying back, no rescuing.
My dove, mother, my light and master, father,
Have I vexed and troubled you much?
Have I vexed and troubled you much?
Haven't I done my work?
Haven't I done my work?
Wasn't I a loyal servant, a fast messenger?
Wasn't I a loyal servant, a fast messenger?
Have I eaten a barn of bread, have I drank a well of water?
Ah, my darling mother, my lord father,
Oh, you've become mad with young girl.
Oh, why have you become so angry with poor girl?
Have I worn out my dress, have I eaten all of the sugar?
Have I worn out my dress, have I eaten too much sugar?
Seemed, I've lived so beloved,
Seemed, I've lived so beloved,
Quieter than distant water, lower than silken grass...
1. An endearment for females. Old usage.