If only, If only

"If only, if only," the woodpecker sighs,

"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."

While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,

Crying to the moo-oo-oon,

"If only, if only."

This is the version that Sarah Yelnats used to sing.  Sarah is the wife of Stanley's great-great-grandfather, Elya Yelnats.  Sarah changed the words a little when she translated it from Latvian to English.

"If only, if only," the woodpecker sighs,

"The bark on the tree was just a little bit softer."

While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,

He cries to the moo-oo-oon,

"If only, if only."

This is the version that Stanley's parents used to sing to him.

If only, if only, the moon speaks no reply;

Reflecting the sun and all that's gone by.

Be strong my weary wolf, turn around boldly.

Fly high, my baby bird,

My angel, my only.

At the end of the novel, this was the version of the song that Hector's mom was singing.