A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 5:38

"And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and [many] weeping and wailing greatly." — Mark 5:38 (ASV)

Wailing greatly (αλαλαζοντας πολλα). An onomatopoetic word from Pindar down. The soldiers on entering battle cried Αλαλα. Used of clanging cymbals (1 Corinthians 13:1). Like ολολυζω in Jas 5:1. It is used here of the monotonous wail of the hired mourners.