Go son, go down to the water
And see the women weeping there
Then go up into the mountains
The men, they are weeping too.
Father, why are all the women weeping?
They all are weeping for their men
Then why are all the men there weeping?
They are weeping back at them.

This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While all the men and women sleep.
This is a weeping song
But I won't be weeping long.

Father why are all the children weeping?
They are merely crying son.
O, are they merely crying father?
Yes, true weeping is yet to come.

This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While all the little children sleep.
This is a weeping song
But I won't be weeping long.

O father tell me are you weeping?
Your face seems wet to touch.
O then I'm so sorry father
I never thought I hurt you so much.

This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While we rock ourselves to sleep.
This is a weeping song
But I won't be weeping long
No. I won't be weeping long