little turtledove

tortelduifie sit in die eikebo-oom
sing die lied van sy lewensdro-oom
koerr tortelduifie koer
tortelduifie by die water stroom
sing die lied van my lewens droom
koerr-kooeer-koerr
koerr tortelduifie koer

Afrikaans folk song

~ &

turtle turtle little turtledove
by the bending whispering willow
call the song of your dream,
dream of your life
croon, crooon little turtle dove croon

your wish hope, your dream desire
laughing all for joy
tell the story tell the tale
of your dream
croon croon crrooon – croon crrooon

~ ~ &

sweet turtledove
lovely joyful turtledove
by the murmuring bamboo stream
to the music
to the singing of the swaying reeds
tell the story of my tale

your life living's dream
dream of my heart's desire
tender passion fond fancy
romance loving charm 
for love of life
shadowy sun or moon

cry weep laugh call
croon crooon
little turtle dove
crooon

coo-coore – coo-coourre – coo-coourre
coo-cooourr-coorr – coo-cooourr-coorr