Old English

Interjection

wā lā wā

1. alas, oh woe
   • 731, Bede, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 1722 edition prepared by John Smith, p. 501:

     Wa la wa! Þæt is sarlic

     Oh woe! That is sad

Descendants

• Middle English: walawai, wellawo, etc.
  • Scots: walawa, wallawa
  • English: welaway, wellaway