O can't you see the little turtle dove
Sitting under the mulberry tree?
See how she does mourn for her true love
As I shall mourn for thee, my love,
As I shall mourn for thee.
O fare thee well, my little turtle dove,
And fare thee well for a while!
For though you go, you'll surely return
If you go ten thousand miles, my love,
If you go ten thousand miles.
Ten thousand miles is very far away
For you to return to me.
You'll leave me here to lament and, well-a-day!
My tears you will not see, my love,
My tears you will not see.
The crow that's black, my little turtle dove,
Shall change its colour white.
If I prove false to the songbirds that I love
The noonday shall sound as night, my love,
The noonday shall sound as night.
The hills shall fly, my little turtle dove,
The roaring billows burn
Before my heart shall suffer me to fail
Or I a traitor turn, my love,
Or I a traitor turn.
The stars shall fall, my little turtle dove,
And the rocks melt with the sun.
If I prove false to the mother that I love
Till all these things be done, my love,
Till all these things be done.