Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CORSICAN FOLK LULLABY by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "HUSHABY, MY DARLING BOY"
Last Line: "SLEEPM MY CHILD, AND HUSHABY"
Hushaby, my darling boy;
Hushaby, my hope and joy.
You're my little ship so brave
Sailing boldly o'er the wave;
One that tempests doth not fear,
Nor the winds that blow from high.
Sleep, a while, my baby dear;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

Gold and pearls my vessel lade,
Silk and cloth the cargo be,
All the sails are of brocade
Coming from beyond the sea;
And the helm of finest gold,
Made a wonder to behold.
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

After you were born full soon
You were christened all aright;
Godmother she was the moon,
Godfather the sun so bright;
All the stars in heaven told
Wore their necklaces of gold.
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

Pure and balmy was the air,
Lustrous all the heavens were;
And the seven planets shed
All their virtues on your head;
And the shepherds made a feast
Lasting for a week at least.
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

Nought was heard but minstrelsy,
Nought but dancing met the eye,
In Cassoni's vale and wood
And in all the neighborhood;
Hawk and Blacklip, staunch and true,
Feasted in their fashion, too.
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

Older years when you attain,
You will roam o'er field and plain;
Meadows will with flowers be gay,
And with oil the fountains play,
And the salt and bitter sea
Into balsam changed be.
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

And these mountains, wild and steep,
Will be crowded o'er with sheep,
And the wild goat and the deer
Will be tame and void of fear;
Vulture, fox, and beast of prey,
From these bounds shall flee away.
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleep, my child, and hushaby.

You are savoury, sweetly blowing,
You are thyme, of incense smelling,
Upon Mount Basella growing,
Upon Mount Cassoni dwelling;
You the hyacinth of the rocks
Which is pasture for the flocks
Fast a while in slumber lie;
Sleepm my child, and hushaby.



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