Where have you been all the long summer's day?
Son, come tell it unto me
I've been hunting and fowling all the long whole day
And it's mama pardon me, and it's mama pardon me

And what put the blood on your right shoulder?
Son, come
That is the blood of the hare I caught
That I killed most manfully

The blood of the hare now it could never be so red
That is the blood of my youngest brother
That I killed most brutally

What came between you and your brother?
It was mostly about the cutting of a rod
That will never grow into a tree

Then what will you do when your father comes home?
I will put my foot on board of a ship
And I'll sail for a foreign country

Then what will become of your own dear wife?
I will leave her there in her grief and despair
And she'll see no more of me
What will you do with your two fine babes?
I'll give one to my father and the other to you mother
For to keep yis company

And what will you do with your two greyhounds?
I will take the straps from around their necks
And they'll race no more for me

What will become of your houses and your land?
I will leave them there for the birds all in the air
There'll be no more welcomes there for me