SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP

Sleep, baby, sleep!
Thy father watches his sheep;
Thy mother is shaking the dreamland tree,
And down comes a little dream on thee.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

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

From the German


A CHILD'S PRAYER

When it gets dark, the birds and flowers
Shut up their eyes and say good night;
And God, who loves them, counts the hours
And keeps them safe till it gets light.

Dear Father! Count the hours to-night,
When I'm asleep and cannot see;
And in the morning may the light
Shine for the birds and flowers and me!

William Hawley Smith