Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HEBREW CRADLE SONG, by EZEKIEL LEAVITT First Line: Night has on the earth descended Last Line: That thy mother used to tell! Subject(s): Bible; Hebrew Language; Jews; Singing & Singers; Judaism; Songs | ||||||||
NIGHT has on the earth descended, All around is silence deep, Sleep, my darling, I am with thee; Sleep a calm and peaceful sleep. I no lullabies shall sing thee; Songs are at an end to-night Sleep in peace, oh, sleep on sweetly, Long as sleep thou canst, my light. In our native fields aforetime, Wondrous songs we used to sing, Improvising them in gardens Turning green with early spring. Where grew daffodils and myrtles, Stately palms upreared their heights, Cypress trees spread wide their branches, Splendid roses blossomed bright. But those notes are hushed and silenced; Ruined now our Zion lies; Mourning sounds instead of singing; Yea, for songs we hear but sighs. All thou needs must know, my darling, Of thy nation's piteous plight, Thou wilt learn and weep for sorrow, As thy mother weeps to-night. But why now in vain disturb thee? Let thy tranquil slumber last, Until over thee, my dearest, The dark day of rain hath passed! To the school, my son, I'll lead thee By the hand; there thou shalt learn All our Bible and our knowledge. Wondrous pearls thou wilt discern Pearls of wisdom in our Talmud, Gems our sages' lore affords; Thou shalt taste of prayer's first sweetness And the charm of God's great words. Ne'er forget thou art a Hebrew! Little son, remember well, Even to the grave, the stories That thy mother used to tell! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE APOLLO TRIO by CONRAD AIKEN BAD GIRL SINGING by MARK JARMAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 4 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 5 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 28 by JAMES JOYCE THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE IS LIKE THE SCENT OF SYRINGA by MINA LOY VIGNETTES OVERSEAS: 11. HAMBURG by SARA TEASDALE |
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