Once I was a child,
Oime!
Full of frolic wild;
Oime!
All the stars for glancing,
All the earth for dancing;
Oime! Oime!

When I ran about,
Oime!
All the flowers came out,
Oime!
Here and there like stray things,
Just to be my playthings.
Oime! Oime!

Mother's eyes were deep,
Oime!
Never needing sleep.
Oime!
Morning — they're above me!
Eventide — they love me!
Oime! Oime!

Father was so tall!
Oime!
Stronger he than all!
Oime!
On his arm he bore me,
Queen of all before me.
Oime! Oime!

Mother is asleep!
Oime!
For her eyes so deep,
Oime!
Grew so tired and aching,
They could not keep waking,
Oime! Oime!

Father though so strong
Oime!
Laid him down along —
Oime!
By my mother sleeping;
And they left me weeping,
Oime! Oime!

Now nor bird, nor bee,
Oime!
Ever sings to me!
Oime!
Since they left me crying,
All things have been dying.