How does a waterfall begin, and why does its edge slowly move? This song shows gravity pulling river water over a rocky ledge, while the current carries sand and pebbles that wear away softer rock over a long time. It’s one common way waterfalls form.
Text from the recording’s subtitles.
Song lyrics
Ke mana tetes berkilau melaju?
Aliran gunung meliuk di lereng
Melewati pasir, kerikil bundar
Lalu mencapai undakan batu tinggi
Gravitasi menjatuhkannya dari tepi
Batu keras di atas lapisan lunak
Yang di bawah lebih cepat terkikis
Sungai jatuh dari undakan batu
Air terjun, tirai putih berkilau
Arus terus mengukir batu
Pelan-pelan, tepinya berubah
Di bawah, air berbusa dan berputar
Membawa pasir dan kerikil kecil
Campurannya mengikis batu lunak
Perlahan serpih lepas: itulah erosi
Rongga membesar di bawah batu keras
Sungai jatuh dari undakan batu
Air terjun, tirai putih berkilau
Arus terus mengukir batu
Pelan-pelan, tepinya berubah
Bertahun-tahun, batu keras menjorok
Lalu sebongkah batu pun terlepas
Undakan mundur sedikit ke hulu
Sungai jatuh dari undakan batu
Air terjun, tirai putih berkilau
Arus terus mengukir batu
Pelan-pelan, tepinya berubah
Di bawah, arus mengukir ngarai batu
Air terjun menderu dari tepi baru
Language version lyrics
Where is that shining droplet racing?
A mountain stream curls down the slope
It slips past sand and rounded pebbles
And reaches one high rocky ledge
Gravity pulls it off the edge
Hard rock rests on a softer layer
The softer layer wears away faster
A river falls from a rocky ledge
Waterfall, a bright white curtain
Flowing water slowly carves the rock
Little by little, it shapes the edge
At its foot, the foaming water swirls
It carries sand and little pebbles
The swirling mix scrapes soft rock loose
That slow wear and breaking is erosion
A hollow grows beneath the hard shelf
A river falls from a rocky ledge
Waterfall, a bright white curtain
Flowing water slowly carves the rock
Little by little, it shapes the edge
After many years, the shelf overhangs
Then a block of rock breaks away
The waterfall edge shifts upstream
A river falls from a rocky ledge
Waterfall, a bright white curtain
Flowing water slowly carves the rock
Little by little, it shapes the edge
Below, the river carves a rocky gorge
The waterfall roars at its new edge