University of Virginia Library

In the valleys grows the mother-wort ,
But scorched is it in the drier places .
There is a woman forced to leave her husband ;
Sadly she sighs !
Sadly she sighs !
She suffers from his hard lot .

In the valleys grows the mother-wort ,
But scorched is it where it had become long .
There is a woman forced to leave her husband ;
Long-drawn are her groanings !
Long-drawn are her groanings !
She suffers from his misfortune .

In the valleys grows the mother-wort ,
But scorched is it even in the moist places .
There is a woman forced to leave her husband ;
Ever flow her tears !
Ever flow her tears !
But of what avail is her lament ?