È hó hì ura bhì.
Ho ro ho ì, ó ho ro ho,
È hó hì ura bhì.

Won't you answer, Cairistiona?
          È hó, etc.
Won’t you answer, faithful pup?
I’d hear you, if you did.
            È hó, etc.

A year I spent with you in the King's court,
Though it seemed like spending three   
Sewing silk and linen
And adorning beautiful shirts.

Change

I travelled to Glencoe,
The waves were high and the narrows deep
I took a leap, but judged it poorly
So that I leapt into the water.
They told me I wouldn’t achieve my end,

And wouldn't find my wet-nurse,
Sensible mind, prudent mouth,
You could write, and read the Bible;
Noblemen would often visit
And would do pleasing business.

Change

There's many a ship, barque and birlinn
And fleet at the mouth of Caol Ìle,
Come in search of Cairistiona;
Not to wed you to a king’s son,
But to put you deep in the ground,
Under heavy, sodden stones.

Change

It's the dark-haired young man
Who’s most saddened tonight;
Your sweetheart closed up in the dark
In a box of deal planks,
After joiners blackened them.