Sleep, my darling; mother will sing
Soft low songs to her little king,
Nobody else must listen or hear
The pretty secrets I tell my dear.
Sleep, my darling, sleep while you may—
Sorrow dawns with the dawning day,
Sleep, my baby, sleep, my dear,
Soon enough will the day be here.
Lie here quiet on mother's arm,
Safe from harm;
Nestled closely to mother's breast,
Sleep and rest!
Mother feels your breath's soft stir
Close to her;
Mother holds you, clasps you tight,
All the night.
When the little Jesus lay
On the manger's hay,
He was a Baby, if tales tell true,
Just like you.
And He had no crown to wear
But His bright hair;
And such kisses as I give you
He had too.
Mary never loved her Son
More than I love my little one;
And her Baby never smiled
More divinely than my little child.
Sleep, my darling, sleep while you may—
Sorrow dawns with the dawning day;
Sleep, my little one, sleep, my dear,
All too soon will the day be here.