University of Virginia Library

It floats about , that boat of cypress wood ,
There in the middle of the He .
With his two tufts of hair falling over his forehead ,
He was my mate ;
And I swear that till death I will have no other .
O mother , O Heaven ,
Why will you not understand me ?

It floats about , that boat of cypress wood ,
There by the side of the He .
With his two tufts of hair falling over his forehead ,
He was my only one ;
And I swear that till death I will not do the evil thing .
O mother , O Heaven ,
Why will you not understand me ?