O Southern Wind, gather me near, so near,
O Northern Wind, carry me far, so far,
O Western Wind, lift up my wings, my wings,
Till my feathers could brush the pole-star.
When my senses are drowning in starlight,
And I haven't the strength left to roam,
O Eastern Wind, comfort thy daughter's failure,
But nevermore bear her back home, back home--
If you love her, no, nevermore home.

O Southern Wind, drift through my hair, my hair,
O Northern Wind, open my eyes, my eyes,
O Western Wind, lift up my gaze, my gaze,
Till I fathom the depths of the skies.
When I stagger and fall down half-blinded,
And my cheek strikes the rich earthen-loam, soft loam--
O Eastern Wind, comfort thy daughter's failure,
But nevermore bear her back home, back home--
If you love her, no, nevermore home.

O Southern Wind, sing for the sun, the sun,
O Northern Wind, sing for the moons, the moons,
O Western Wind, lift up my voice, my voice,
Till I ken how the sleek sea-nymph croons.
When my voice has been racked into silence,
And my skin's wet with tears or sea-foam,
O Eastern Wind, comfort thy daughter's failure,
But nevermore bear her back home, back home--
If you love her, no, nevermore home.

And I lift up my gaze to the North, the North,
And I move with the grace of the South, the South,
And the wild Western wind dances round me,
And its songs grieve and keen in my mouth--
For the runestones are locked in their patterns,
Firmer laid than inked words in a tome--
O Eastern wind, be thrice-cursed forever anon,
For soon you will bear me back home, back home,
And my life ends when I go back home, back home,
And my life ends when I return home.