by ยืนยง โอภากุล Yuenyong Opakul, aka แอ๊ด คาราบาว Aed Carabao

Translated into singable English by Ann Norman. I Americanized this song a teeny bit. Aed Carabao had the mothers getting up early to cook rice, eggs, and fish soup. I keep the eggs and added “packs a lunch.” The rest is VERY close to the original.

You can try to sing in English over the official Carabao version:

If it weren’t for her, today I’d not be here
Who gets up first and cooks the eggs? We’re sleeping very near
Wakes us up and packs a lunch. Makes sure we’re clean and dressed
Takes us back and forth to school. Makes sure we pass our tests.
Chases us around. . . as sun sets.

If it weren’t for her, today I’d not be here
She tucks us into bed each night. Fights sicknesses and tears.
A familiar warm embrace, shares our troubles to the end.
The world is what it is. She helps us understand
Persevere, be strong . . . Fly against the wind!

Ever-lasting like the sky, her love keeps us secure,
‘Til the world wears away, a parents’ love is pure.
If not for them, this whole wide world we’d miss
If not for them, we wouldn’t exist.

If it weren’t for her, today we’d not be here
Young adults fly off to find their dream
Just knowing she’s back there
Their hearts are free of sadness, not a worry or a care
If IT were not for YOU! There be none of us, its true.
If not for YOU, We’d be nowhere