Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG OF THE INDIAN MOTHER, by JAMES GOWDY CLARK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THE INDIAN MOTHER, by                    
First Line: Gently dream, my darling child
Last Line: Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc.
Subject(s): Native Americans; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America


Gently dream, my darling child,
Sleeping in the lonely wild;
Would thy dreams might never know
Clouds that darken mine with woe;
Oh! to smile as thou art smiling,
All my hopeless hours beguiling
With the hope that thou mightst see
Blessings that are hid from me.

Lullaby, my gentle boy,
Sleeping in the wilderness,
Dreaming in thy childish joy
Of a mother's fond caress--
Lullaby, lullaby!

Sleep, while gleams the council fire,
Kindled by thy hunted sire;
Guarded by thy God above,
Sleep and dream of peace and love;
Dream not of the band that perished
From the sacred soil they cherished,
Nor the ruthless race that roams
O'er our ancient shrines and homes.
Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc.

Sleep, while autumn glories fly,
'Neath the melancholy sky,
From the trees before the storm,
Chased by winter's tyrant form;
Oh! 'tis thus, our warriors, wasted,
From their altars torn and blasted,
Followed by the storm of death,
Fly before Oppression's breath.
Lullaby, my gentle boy,etc.

Sleep, while night hides home and grave,
Rest, while mourn the suff'ring brave,
Mourning as thou, too, wilt mourn,
Through the future, wild and worn;
Bruised in heart, in spirit shaken,
Scourged by man, by God forsaken,
Wandering on in war and strife,
Living still, yet cursing life.
Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc.

Could thy tender fancy feel
All thy manhood will reveal,
Couldst thou dream thy breast would share
All the ills thy fathers bear,
Thou wouldst weep as I am weeping,
Tearful watches wildly keeping,
By the silver-beaming light,
Of the long and lonely night.
Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc.





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