And whatten a thread is that to spin?
One with another.
It's green for grace, and it's black for sin,
Mother, my mother.
And what will ye strew on your bride-chamber floor?
One with another.
But one strewing and no more,
Mother, my mother.
And whatten a strewing shall that one be?
One with another.
The dust of earth and sand of the sea,
Mother, my mother.
And what will ye take to build your bed?
One with another.
Sighing and shame and the bones of the dead,
Mother, my mother.
And what will ye wear for your wedding gown?
One with another.
Grass for the green and dust for the brown,
Mother, my mother.
And what will ye wear for your wedding lace?
One with another.
A heavy heart and a hidden face,
Mother, my mother.
And what will ye wear for a wreath to your head?
One with another.
Ash for the white and blood for the red,
Mother, my mother.
And what will ye wear for your wedding ring?
One with another.
A weary thought for a weary thing,
Mother, my mother.
And what shall the chimes and the bell-ropes play?
One with another.
A weary tune on a weary day,
Mother, my mother.
And what shall be sung for your wedding song?
One with another.
A weary word of a weary wrong,
Mother, my mother.