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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LITTLE DREAMERS by FRANK LEBBY STANTON

First Line: SLEEP, LI'L CHILLUN - DADDY GONE TER FIGHT
Last Line: DREAM DE WAR AWAY!

Sleep, li'l chillun--daddy gone ter fight,
But mammy's dar, a-watchin'--watchin' thoo' de night.
Col' win' a-creepin' whar de shadders stay,
Done blowed de stars out, an' can't fin' his way!
Singin' you ter sleep,
Sweetes' watch ter keep,
Mammy is a-singin'--
Singin' you ter sleep.

Fightin' time fer daddy what love you good and true.
Watch time fer mammy, an' dream time fer you!
Li'l stars ter sleep, too, till come de shiny beam
An' "Sweetes' Mammy" singin'--singin' in yo' dream!
Singin' in yo' dream
Till de shiny beam
Wake you fun dreamin'--
Singin' in yo' dream.

Sleep, li'l chillun, gone ter happy lan'--
Li'l sister sweetheart, an' li'l sojer man!
War time's yo' playtime all de shiny day,
Den dream de war away, chillun--dream de war away!
Dream de war away
Till Mawnin' wake de Day;
Dream de war away, chillun--
Dream de war away!



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