I am a travelling creature Travelling through this land I serve as but a warning to woman and to man I met a weeping woman in a far and distant land I gave to her a warning and she gave to me her hand Oh mother, come and hold my head Oh mother, hold up my dying head For this death has laid its hand on me I asked that weeping woman if she ever tried to pray She said, "I tried this morning, but the spirit said, "Too late" Now, my parents, they never once taught me all about the ways of hell But the way that this death has called me, no human tongue can tell Oh mother, come and hold my head Oh mother, hold up my dying head Oh mother, come and hold my head Oh mother, hold up my dying hand For this death has laid its hand on me For this death has laid its hand on me