Come to my pillow, gentle sleep!
And hold me in thy calm embrace;
And with oblivious wing, efface
The stain of tears and sorrows deep!
Or charm me with thy dreamy spell,
And paint a smile where tears had been;
And lead me to the pastures green,
Where I shall find Immanuel!
In waking hours I love to rove
Where Israel’s shepherd feeds his sheep;
Now, on thy wings, O, gentle sleep,
Come, bear me to the spot I love!
Farewell—sad world, farewell to thee!
Let me forget my woes and cares;
“Still waters” murmur in mine ears;
O, to those waters let me flee!
I’ll bathe my soul in liquid love,
And freely drink the crystal tide,
Then sit me down the wave beside,
Nor ever would I thence remove!
There sweetly sounds Immanuel’s name,
Borne gently on the breezy air,
Ten thousand thousand voices there,
With spirit-tongues his love proclaim.
He leads his flock—he loves them well—
He takes the weary in his arms,
And lures them by his dazzling charms,
Forever in his fold to dwell.
Come, gentle sleep, I feel thy power!
Thy dreamy spell is over me,
Farewell, sad world! farewell to thee!
All hail, my sleeping, dreaming hour!