[Verse 1]
I am a traveling creature, traveling 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 my warning and she gave to me her hand

[Chorus]
Oh Mother, come and hold my hand
Oh Mother, hold up my dying hand
For this death has laid its hand on me

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
Oh Mother, come and hold my head
Oh Mother, hold up my dying hand
Oh Mother, come and hold my hand
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