Classic Poem

" MAM A'I B ABAN ."

The mother yields her babe to sleep
Upon her tender breast,
And sings a lullaby, to keep
Its little heart at rest:
" O sleep in peace upon my bosom,
And sweetly may your small dreams blossom:
And from the fears that made me weep you,
And from all pains, as soft you sleep you,
The angels lightly guard and keep you
So safe and bless'd!

" Your mother, dear, is full of fear,
As the dark hours run;
Her love entwines so closely, dear, —
Dearest little one!
Her song is in its music weeping,
To think of death and its dark keeping,
That yet might turn those red cheeks white, —
Life's rose, that grows so in her sight;
And dull those eyes, like morning light! —
Dearest little one!"

So warm you lie, so soft you sleep,
And nestle still more near,
With careless dreams that smile and weep,
And not a thought of fear, —
Her prayers go up to Heaven for you,
That for the boundless love she bore you,
If she were gone one night, and sorrow
Came very close upon the morrow, —
The Christ-child should a candle borrow,
To light you home to her.