Ilongtogoovertheretothefurtherbankoftheriver,
Wherethoseboatsaretiedtothebamboopolesinaline;
Wheremencrossoverintheirboatsinthemorningwithploughsontheirshoulderstotilltheirfar-awayfields;
Wherethecowherdsmaketheirlowingcattleswimacrosstotheriversidepasture;
Whencetheyallcomebackhomeintheevening, leavingthejackalstohowlintheislandovergrownwithweeds.
Mother, ifyoudon’tmind, IshouldliketobecometheboatmanoftheferrywhenIamgrownup.
Theysaytherearestrangepoolshiddenbehindthathighbank,
Whereflocksofwildduckscomewhentherainsareover, andthickreedsgrowroundthemarginswherewaterbirdslaytheireggs;
Wheresnipeswiththeirdancingtailsstamptheirtinyfootprintsuponthecleansoftmud;
Whereintheeveningthetallgrassescrestedwithwhiteflowersinvitethemoonbeamtofloatupontheirwaves.
Mother, ifyoudon’tmind, IshouldliketobecometheboatmanoftheferryboatwhenIamgrownup.
Ishallcrossandcrossbackfrombanktobank, andalltheboysandgirlsofthevillagewillwonderatmewhiletheyarebathing.
Whenthesunclimbsthemidskyandmorningwearsontonoon, Ishallcomerunningtoyou, saying, “Mother, Iamhungry!”
Whenthedayisdoneandtheshadowscowerunderthetrees, Ishallcomebackinthedusk.
Ishallnevergoawayfromyouintothetowntoworklikefather.
Mother, ifyoudon’tmind, IshouldliketobecometheboatmanoftheferryboatwhenIamgrownup.
