Shepherds’ Cradle Song

O sleep, thou heaven-born treasure, thou
Sleep sound, thou dearest child
White angel wings shall fan thy brow
With breezes soft and mild

We shepherds poor are here to sing
A simple lullaby to our King
Lullaby, lullaby
Sleep, sleep softly, lullaby

See Mary has with mother's love
A bed for thee outspread
While Joseph stoops him from above
And watches at thy head
The lambkins in the stall so nigh
That thou may sleep
Have hushed their cry

And when thou'rt big and art a man
Full woe's in store for thee;
For cruel men thy death will plan
And hang thee on a tree
So sleep, my baby, whilst thou may
'Twill give thee rest against that day