O'er the water faintly gleams
Tender light from silvery beams,
O'er thy face flit shadowy dreams,
Sleep, my baby, sleep.

Through unmeasured deeps of space
Earth, thy cradle, swings apace,
Safe art thou in thy nesting-place,
Sleep, my baby, sleep.

At the heart of life art thou,
Thorns and roses even now
Grow to pierce and crown thy brow,
Sleep, my baby, sleep.

Love for thee was freely spent,
Love and life to thee were sent,
Thou their holiest sacrament,
Sleep, my baby, sleep.

Laden with their unknown freight
Come the years, the ships of fate,
Thou must waken soon or late,
Sleep, my baby, sleep.