Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A SLUMBER SONG by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP! / THY FATHER IS TENDING THE SHEEP"
Last Line: "AND DO NOT HARM MY SLEEPING CHILD! / SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP!"

Sleep, baby, sleep!
Thy father is tending the sheep,
Thy mother is shaking the dream-land tree,
And down drops a little dream for thee.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!
The large stars are the sheep;
The little stars are the lambs. I guess.
And the bright moon is the shepherdess.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!
The Saviour loves His sheep.
He is the Lamb of God on high,
Who for our sakes came down to die.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!
And cry not like a sheep,
Else the sheep-dog will bark and whine
And bite this naughty child of mine.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep!
Away to tend the sheep,
Away, thou sheep-dog fierce and wild
And do not harm my sleeping child!
Sleep, baby, sleep!



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