[Verse 1]
When the black-necked cranes take to wing
And the peach blossoms bloom in the spring
I will go where the blue glaciers flow
And the chir pines sing down below
[Chorus]
Oh, it's been many years since I left
The high rocky plains of the west
When the rivers run blue, I'll return
Once again to the roof of the world
[Verse 2]
Herd the sheep across the frozen lake
As I tent, the howling timber shakes
While in the cold rocky heights undisturbed
Stands the grandmother goddess of the world
[Chorus]
Oh, it's been many years since I left
The high rocky plains of the west
When the rivers run blue, I'll return
Once again to the roof of the world
[Verse 3]
We came to base camp in May
And hoped to climb without delay
But we were caught by a storm above the steppe
And our teardrops froze as we wept
[Chorus]
Oh, it's been many years since I left
The high rocky plains of the west
When the rivers run blue, I'll return
Once again to the roof of the world