E varfëra rrëzë një mani po rri,
Qaj, shelk, o shelk i zi,
Me kokën mbi gjunjë, me duar në gji,
Qaj, shelk, o shelk i zi;
Dhe lumi buçiste me këng` e me vaj,
Qaj, shelk, o she
lk, o qaj,
Dhe shkrinin shkëmbinjtë nga lotët e saj,
Qaj, shelk, o shelk, o qaj!

Origjinali

[Singing] The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
Sing all a green willow:
Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow, willow:
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmur’d her moans;
Sing willow, willow, willow;
Her salt tears fell from her, and soften’d the stones;
Sing willow, willow, willow;