胡桃开花, 吊吊长呀
The walnut trees bloom, flowers hanging often,
远离家乡, 想亲娘
Far from home, thinking of my dear mother.
娘想儿来, 想呀想到老
The mother thinks of her son, thinking and thinking until old age.
儿想亲娘哭断肠
The son, missing his mother, cries until his heart breaks.
山高也有人行路
Even if the mountains are high, there are people traveling on them.
水深还有渡船人
Even if the waters are deep, there are ferries carrying people.
渡船哥哥先渡我
Ferryman, brother, take me across first.
渡我回家看亲娘
Take me back home to see my dear mother.
看亲娘
To see my dear mother.
船到江心不拢岸
The boat reaches the middle of the river, it does not approach the shore.
眼望青山哭一场
Looking at the distant green mountains, they do not all appear the same length.