by John Addington Symonds (1840 - 1893)
Christmas Lullaby See original
Language: English
Sleep, baby, sleep! the Mother sings:
Heaven's angels kneel and fold their wings.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
With swathes of scented hay Thy bed
By Mary's hand at eve was spread.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
At midnight came the shepherds, they
Whom seraphs wakened by the way.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
And three kings from the East afar
Ere dawn came guided by Thy star.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
They brought Thee gifts of gold and gems,
Pure orient pearls, rich diadems.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
... Thou who liest slumbering there,
Art King of Kings, earth, ocean, air.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
Sleep, baby, sleep! the shepherds sing:
Through heaven, through earth, hosannas ring.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
First published in English Illustrated Magazine, December 1891
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Composition:
- Set to music by Margaret Ruthven Lang (1867 - 1972), "Christmas Lullaby", op. 8 no. 2 [ voice and piano ], from Three Songs of the East, no. 2, Schmidt
Text Authorship:
- by John Addington Symonds (1840 - 1893), "A Christmas Lullaby"
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-28
Line count: 21
Word count: 113