Mourning dove, mourning dove,
What do you mourn today?
Is it peace, or humility—families, love?
Or are you too sad to say?

Morning dove, morning dove,
Who do you mourn today?
Someone who’s lost—confused or distraught?
Someone who’s passed away?

Mourning dove, mourning dove,
Why do you mourn today?
Every morning, from branches above,
Why your elegy play?

Mourning dove, morning dove,
I hear you every day.
Low and alone, constant and sad;
Why do you sound this way?

Morning dove, little bird,
I don’t want to hear you cry.
For every mournful note I’ve heard,
Somewhere, a dream has died.