THE FIRSTBORN So fair, so dear, so warm upon my bosom, And in my hands the little rosy feet. Sleep on, my little bird, my lamb, my blos som; Sleep on, sleep on, my sweet. What is it God hath given me to cherish, This living, moving wonder which is mineMine only? Leave it with me or I perish, Dear Lord of love divine. Dear Lord, 't is wonderful beyond all wonder, This tender miracle vouchsafed to me, Flesh of my flesh, and yet so subtly link ing New selfs with old, all things that I have been With present joys beyond my former thinking And future things unseen. There life began, and here it links with heaven, The golden chain of years scarce dipped adown From birth, ere once again a hold is given And nearer to God's Throne. Seen, held in arms and clasped around so tightly, My love, my bird, I will not let thee go. Mine, Lord, all mine Thy gift and loving Mine token. yes or no, unseen its soul divine? Mine by the chain of love with links un broken, Dear Saviour, Thine and mine. John Arthur Goodchild BABY-LAND "How many miles to Baby-Land?” "What can you see in Baby-Land?” Faces pure and bright!" "What do they do in Baby-Land?" “Dream and wake and play, Laugh and crow, Shout and grow; Jolly times have they!" "What do they say in Baby-Land?" Try to tell What a birdie sings!" "Who is the Queen of Baby-Land?" "Mother, kind and sweet; And her love, Born above, Guides the little feet." George Cooper MOTHER'S SONG My heart is like a fountain true That flows and flows with love to you. As chirps the lark unto the tree So chirps my pretty babe to me. And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. There's not a rose where'er I seek, And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. There's not a star that shines on high, And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. No silk was ever spun so fine As is the hair of baby mine. My baby smells more sweet to me Than smells in spring the elder tree. And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. A little fish swims in the well, And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. The Queen has sceptre, crown and ball, More fair your skin, as white as milk. Ten thousand parks where deer do run, Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea, And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. Unknown CRADLE SONG SLEEP, little baby of mine, Through the shadows that frown, Shut, little sleepy blue eyes; Dear little head, be at rest; Was a baby once, too, And slept on His own mother's breast. Sleep, little baby of mine, Soft on your pillow so white; Jesus is here To watch over you, dear, And nothing can harm you to night. |