possibly by Lillian Dynevor Rice (d. 1933) and possibly by Frederick News, MD.
A bed‑time song See original
Language: English
Sway to and fro in the twilight gray, This is the ferry for Shadowtown; It only sails at the end of the day, Just as the darkness closes down. Rest, little head, on my shoulder, now; A sleepy kiss is the only fare, Drifting away from the world we go, Baby and I in the rocking chair. See, where the fire-logs glow and spark, Glitter the lights of the Shadowland; The raining drops on the window -- hark! Are the ripples lapping upon its strand. There, where the mirror is glancing dim, A lake lies shimmering, cool and still; Blossoms are waving above its brim -- Those over there on the window-sill. Rock slow, more slow, in the dusky light; Silently lower the anchor down. Dear little passenger say, "Good night," We've reached the harbor of Shadowtown.
Note: this poem has been attributed to various authors in different publications. Sometimes it is included without an author or given as being "from St. Nicholas".
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Composition:
- Set to music by Margaret Ruthven Lang (1867 - 1972), "A bed-time song", op. 6 (Three songs) no. 2, published 1891 [ voice and piano ], Schmidt ; note: the poem is (mis?)attributed to Eugene Field in the score
Text Authorship:
- possibly by Lillian Dynevor Rice (d. 1933), "A bed-time song", first published c1889
- possibly by Frederick News, MD. , "A bed-time song", first published c1889
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 134