1. For my mother's death I see sorrows bending me
For she so often caressed me with caressing tenderness

2. And so often pampered me during my upbringing
Until I grew as she had nurtured me

3. I say "Numnam", she comes with food to feed me
I say "Embo", she comes with water to quench my thirst

4. If I got sick at night she stays up all night
She says "Hehe" rocking me to lull me to sleep

5. How much kohl she put on my eyelids and made
Sesame spots on my forehead, how she would pamper me

6. And sometimes she would tickle me when I angered her
And after that she tickled me to satisfy me

7. And when I ran away from my father the cleric
She held me and sent for him, she would hide me

8. And during my ritual wash she rejoiced
Sprinkling salt over me and cleansing me

9. And at my wedding she busied herself with henna
So she could receive me on the dais with my adornments

10. And she raised my children just as she raised me
Then after that she died, oh my painful lament

11. And left me an orphan at forty four years old
In my counting of age

12. May God magnify for her and me the reward
And for me after her, give freely with "Amen"