Sleep-Stealer
Who stole sleep from baby's eyes? I must know.
Clasping her pitcher to her waist mother went to fetch water
from the village near by.
It was noon. The children's playtime was over; the ducks in
the pond were silent.
The shepherd boy lay asleep under the shadow of the banyan
tree.
The crane stood grave and still in the swamp near the mango
grove.
In the meanwhile the Sleep-stealer came and, snatching sleep
from baby's eyes, flew away.
When mother came back she found baby travelling the room over
on all fours.
Who stole sleep from our baby's eyes? I must know. I must find
her and chain her up.
I must look into that dark cave, where, through boulders and
scowling stones, trickles a tiny stream.
I must search in the drowsy shade of the bakula grove, where
pigeons coo in their corner, and fairies' anklets tinkle in the
stillness of starry nights.
In the evening I will peep into the whispering silence of the
bamboo forest, where fireflies squander their light, and will ask
every creature I meet, "Can anybody tell me where the Sleep-stealer
lives?"
Who stole sleep from baby's eyes? I must know.
Shouldn't I give her a good lesson if I could only catch her!
I would raid her nest and see where she hoards all her stolen
sleep.
I would plunder it all, and carry it home.
I would bind her two wings securely, set her on the bank of
the river, and then let her play at fishing with a reed among the
rushes and water-lilies.
When the marketing is over in the evening, and the village
children sit in their mothers' laps, then the night birds will
mockingly din her ears with:
"Whose sleep will you steal now?"
poem by Rabindranath Tagore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The End
It is time for me to go, mother; I am going.
When in the paling darkness of the lonely dawn you stretch out
your arms for your baby in the bed, I shall say, "Baby is not
here!"-mother, I am going.
I shall become a delicate draught of air and caress you and
I shall be ripples in the water when you bathe, and kiss you and
kiss you again.
In the gusty night when the rain patters on the leaves you
will hear my whisper in your bed, and my laughter will flash with
the lightning through the open window into your room.
If you lie awake, thinking of your baby till late into the
night, I shall sing to you from the stars, "Sleep, mother, sleep."
One the straying moonbeams I shall steal over your bed, and
lie upon your bosom while you sleep.
I shall become a dream, and through the little opening of your
eyelids I shall slip into the depths of your sleep; and when you
wake up and look round startled, like a twinkling firefly I shall
flit out into the darkness.
When, on the great festival of puja, the neighbours' children
come and play about the house, I shall melt into the music of the
flute and throb in your heart all day.
Dear auntie will come with puja-presents and will ask,"Where
is our baby, sister?" Mother, you will tell her softly, "He is in
the pupils of my eyes, he is in my body and in my soul."
poem by Rabindranath Tagore
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Sleep Baby Sleep
Sleep Baby Sleep....,
You'll be better soon....,
Sleep Baby Sleep....,
You've been ill since noon...,
Your body will repair itself....,
Just close your eyes....,
And dream sweet dreams...,
Sleep Baby Sleep....,
You'll feel better soon....,
Sleep Baby Sleep....,
You'll get better soon.
poem by Trade Martin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Christmas Lullabay
A Christmas Lullaby
Sleep, baby, sleep! The Mother
sings:
Heaven's angels kneel and fold
their wings.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
With swathes of scented hay Thy
bed
By Mary's hand at eve was
spread.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
At midnight came the shepherds,
they
Whom seraphs wakened by the
way.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
And three kings from the East
afar,
Ere dawn came, guided by the
star.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
They brought Thee gifts of gold
and gems,
Pure orient pearls, rich diadems.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
Thou who liest slumbering there,
Art King of Kings, earth, ocean,
air.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
Sleep, baby, sleep! The shepherds
sing:
Through heaven, through earth,
hosannas ring.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
poem by Akingbehin Daniel Murphy
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Norse lullaby
The sky is dark and the hills are white
As the storm-king speeds from the north to-night,
And this is the song the storm-king sings,
As over the world his cloak he flings:
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;"
He rustles his wings and gruffly sings:
"Sleep, little one, sleep."
On yonder mountain-side a vine
Clings at the foot of a mother pine;
The tree bends over the trembling thing,
And only the vine can hear her sing:
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;
What shall you fear when I am here?
Sleep, little one, sleep."
The king may sing in his bitter flight,
The tree may croon to the vine to-night,
But the little snowflake at my breast
Liketh the song I sing the best,--
Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;
Weary thou art, anext my heart
Sleep, little one, sleep.
poem by Eugene Field
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Time To Sleep
Sleep, sleep now my baby
Do not wait for your daddy
He’ll be home when you rise
So go to sleep, close your eyes
Sleep, sleep now my baby
I will read you a story
I will sing you a lullaby
I’ll be here don’t you cry
Sleep, sleep now my baby
Tomorrow is a promise to see
You’ll wake up on your daddy’s knee
And together spend the day with glee
poem by Rose de Ramar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lullaby of the iroquois
Little brown baby-bird, lapped in your nest,
Wrapped in your nest,
Strapped in your nest,
Your straight little cradle-board rocks you to rest;
Its hands are your nest;
Its bands are your nest;
It swings from the down-bending branch of the oak;
You watch the camp flame, and the curling grey smoke;
But, oh, for your pretty black eyes sleep is best,--
Little brown baby of mine, go to rest.
Little brown baby-bird swinging to sleep,
Winging to sleep,
Singing to sleep,
Your wonder-black eyes that so wide open keep,
Shielding their sleep,
Unyielding to sleep,
The heron is homing, the plover is still,
The night-owl calls from his haunt on the hill,
Afar the fox barks, afar the stars peep,--
Little brown baby of mine, go to sleep.
poem by Emily Pauline Johnson
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daddy Would Come To Rock Your Cradle..
Mother said, 'Sleep baby sleep, daddy would come to rock your cradle..'
But Daddy you never came...
I waited for you in the lonely nights but you never came...
Mother said, 'Sleep baby sleep, daddy would come to rock your cradle..'
It was a moonlit night I found myself talking to the stars..'when would daddy come to tell me a story..' Now that I don't sleep in the cradle..
The wind whispered in my ear, 'Sleep baby sleep, Daddy would come when you'd blow your b'day candle..'
I remember what my Mother said..'Sleep baby sleep.....
It was my B'day..I din't blow a candle but I closed my eyes to make a wish..and I found myself saying 'Daddy you never came, please come & make me blow a candle.'
But Daddy you never came & things are not the same....
They don't love me anymore & I am waiting for you...one day you will knock the door...
Its been so many years & I'm learning how to survive..I'm lonely, my fears don't let me trust anyone..
The light of love never shines on me...
The baby inside me is so scared to open up...It still yearns for love & protection, which never rained on me...
Wish all my tears become a wish & then I then I won't cry because of the fear of loosing a wish which time could never erase...
I wish to become a baby once again, I won't sleep b'cos I want to see mommy & daddy together...
I want to relive all those moments which I spent without you...
I want to ask so many questions daddy...
Why din't you wipe my tears when I was surrounded by unknown fears..?
Did you sleep at night when I was fighting with my demons..?
Would you love me, would you hug me one day..?
I promise I'll try to forgive you.....
But I know you will never come, b'cos..you never cared for us..you are happy in your world...
I know we've come a long way & it doesn't hurt anymore...
Things will change for good..I am sure..
Oh...but it still hurts when I hear some mother singing this song once again..
''Sleep baby sleep, daddy would come to rock your cradle....'
poem by Prachi angel
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The singing in god's acre
Out yonder in the moonlight, wherein God's Acre lies,
Go angels walking to and fro, singing their lullabies.
Their radiant wings are folded, and their eyes are bended low,
As they sing among the beds whereon the flowers delight to grow,--
"Sleep, oh, sleep!
The Shepherd guardeth His sheep.
Fast speedeth the night away,
Soon cometh the glorious day;
Sleep, weary ones, while ye may,
Sleep, oh, sleep!"
The flowers within God's Acre see that fair and wondrous sight,
And hear the angels singing to the sleepers through the night;
And, lo! throughout the hours of day those gentle flowers prolong
The music of the angels in that tender slumber-song,--
"Sleep, oh, sleep!
The Shepherd loveth His sheep.
He that guardeth His flock the best
Hath folded them to His loving breast;
So sleep ye now, and take your rest,--
Sleep, oh, sleep!"
From angel and from flower the years have learned that soothing song,
And with its heavenly music speed the days and nights along;
So through all time, whose flight the Shepherd's vigils glorify,
God's Acre slumbereth in the grace of that sweet lullaby,--
"Sleep, oh, sleep!
The Shepherd loveth His sheep.
Fast speedeth the night away,
Soon cometh the glorious day;
Sleep, weary ones, while ye may,--
Sleep, oh, sleep!"
poem by Eugene Field
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checking out.
I wanna get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love, it won't be long.
Oh, sugar, don't you cry.
Oh, child, wipe the tears from your eyes.
You know I need you to be strong
And the day it is dark, as the night is long.
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean.
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen.
Baby, baby, baby, light my way.
Alright now, baby, baby, baby, light my way.
You bury your treasure where it can't be found
But your love is a secret that's been passed around.
There is a silence that comes to a house
Where no-one can sleep.
I guess it's the price of love; I know it's not cheap.
Oh, come on, baby, baby, baby, light my way.
Oh, come on, baby, baby, baby, light my way
Baby, baby, baby, light my way.
I remember when we could sleep on stones.
Now we lie together in whispers and moans.
When I was all messed up and I heard opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb hanging over my bed.
Baby, baby, baby, light my way.
Oh, come on, baby, baby, baby, light my way.
song performed by by U2
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Infant Days
Air -- "The Rain upon the Roof"
When I was a little infant,
And I lay in mother's arms,
Then I felt the gentle pressure
Of a loving mother's arms.
"Go to sleep my little baby,
Go to sleep," mamma would say;
"Oh, will not my little lady
Go to sleep for ma to-day."
Oh! my parents loved me dearly,
For I was their eldest born,
And they always called me Julia
In a mild and loving form.
My parents will not forget me,
Though I married and left their home,
For they can remember clearly
How with them I once did roam.
Oh! my mother, how I love her,
Though her head is growing gray,
For in fancy I can see her
Bending o'er me night and day,
As she did when I was little,
Watching me in sleep and play --
Mother now is growing feeble,
Now I will her love repay.
Oh! my father, how I love him,
For he has worked hard for me,
For to earn my food and clothing,
In my little infancy.
And oh, I will not forget him,
While on earth I do remain --
May the God of heaven bless him
In this world of grief and pain.
poem by Julia A Moore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Outside331’sSleep
Don’t open your eyes yet not until I explain last night I went to bed with Sleep last night I fell for Sleep last night Sleep unclothed me left me naked in a room painted black I couldn’t see Sleep because Sleep was dark too and the room was black and the foreground blended in with the background I couldn’t tell what was far and what was close I became frustrated because Sleep was either hiding inside the room or the room was hiding behind Sleep neither were being fair to my eyes who wanted to play hide and go Sleep I hide inside the room and Sleep seeks I said where are you Sleep I can’t see you my eyes can’t find you Sleep I said I wanted to fall inside you brought me into this black room and I am trying to wrap myself around you won’t you come inside of me you won’t stage scenes in my eyes created with color everything is black one long stretch Sleep are you moving and I can’t see you or are you standing still and I can’t feel you are here Sleep you are silent Sleep I feel alone Sleep I want you to be inside me if you take me to a black room and make me go to bed are your eyes open I can’t see you did you leave is Sleep here Sleep am I inside you explain Sleep explain did you open your eyes Sleep are my eyes open Sleep are you outside me Sleep you took me to bed and left me Sleep I can’t open my eyes until you are back inside me I can’t see Sleep when you’re not inside me open your eyes Sleep do you see me inside you explain last night am I still inside Sleep?
(12-13-07)
poem by Chelsea Trescott
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ultraviolet
Sometimes i feel like i don't know
Sometimes i feel like checkin' out
I want to get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long...
Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know i need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
You bury your treasure
Where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret
That's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house
Where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
I remember
When we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together
In whispers and moans
When i was all messed up
And i had opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb
Hanging over my bed
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
Ultraviolet...
[repeat 4 times]
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
[repeat 3 times]
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
song performed by by U2
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Maria's Lullaby
An extract from a poem written for my grandchildren to Brahms Lullaby
Sleep; little mice sleep
Mother will watch over you
Shut your eyes and don't peek
Tomorrow the skies will be blue
Sleep; little mice sleep.
Sleep; little mice sleep
No harm will come whilst I am here
The sun has gone down by the peak
When the day dawns it will appear
Sleep; little mice sleep.
Sleep; little mice sleep
Your father is watching the house
That no owl or cat dares to seek
Harm to creatures or mouse
Sleep; little mice sleep.
Sleep; little mice sleep
Tomorrow you run and play
Now is not time to speak
When you awake a new day
Sleep; little mice sleep.
Sleep; little mice sleep
Rest now for your own sake
Shut your eyes now be asleep
I will be here when you awake
Sleep; little mice sleep.
poem by Thomas Golding
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Try For Sleep
Its four oclock in the morning, and theres a new full moon
Shining down through the trees
But dont leave the room now, leave it in doubt
Pretend not to know what Im talking about
I try, all night long
I try, I want you to come along
I feel it when you touch me, Im already wet
But how are you supposed to know what you get
Wake me when its over, but dont turn on the light
Call me by name, thats alright I try, all night long,
Ooh, I try to carry on
And, how can you go through, how can you go through
So many changes
Oh, how can you go through, how can you go through
So many changes
Its a family affair; its a family affair
Its a family affair, its a family affair, its a family affair
Try for sleep, why dont you try for sleep
Why dont you try for sleep
Im pushin the river, ready to roll
Oh, I can feel it in my soul
Give me the high light and leave out the rest
You know what they told me
They said the west is best
I try, all night long, I try to get along with
Will try for sleep, ooh try for sleep
Wont you, oh wont you come along, come along
Try for sleep, try for sleep
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, yaaa
I want you to try for sleep
I know you will try, ooh baby
Ooh baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
(fade to end)
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Fisherman's Baby
Oh hush, little baby, thy papa's at sea;
The big billows rock him as mamma rocks thee.
He hastes to his dear ones o'er billows of foam;
Then sleep, little darling, till papa comes home.
Sleep, little baby; hush, little baby;
Papa is coming, no longer to roam.
The shells and the pebbles, all day tossed about,
Are lulled into sleep by the tide ebbing out.
The tired shore slumbers, stretched out in the sand,
While the waves hurry off at mid-ocean's command.
Then hush, little darling; sleep, little darling;
Sleep, baby, rocked by thy mother's own hand.
The winds that have rollicked all day in the west
Are hushed into sleep on the calm evening's breast.
The boats that were out with the wild sea at play
Are now rocked to sleep in the arms of the bay.
Then rest, little baby; sleep, little baby;
Papa will come at the break of the day.
Sleep, little darling; too soon thou wilt be
A man like thy father, to sail o'er the sea.
Then sleep will not come at thy bidding or prayer,
For thou wilt be harassed by danger and care.
Then sleep, little darling; rest, little baby;
Rest whilst thou may, dear, and sleep whilst thou dare.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sleep Around
Do it like she like, do it like she like it {x4}
Chorus:
Do it like she like it
So your baby dont wanna sleep around
Give her what she want when she want
When it come 2 u, she down
Baby let me read her journal
Or should I say: she turned around and it was gone
The innuendo reads eternal
Or should I say: every other page Im on
When she come 2 cook your dinner
U can ask her if what I say is true
The secret will remain within her
But her shade of red will turn yours blue
Chorus
Maybe u recall last summer
When u saw her ridin in my car
A kiss or 2 later she was back in your bed
Smellin like a fallen star
Just because shes fine
U think she dont wine & dine with everyone u know
Oh, long as ure fooled, Im cool
She says she gonna put me in a video
U need 2...
Chorus
Oh yeah!
Sleep around, sleep around {x2}
Im the one who sent the herbs and a book on how 2 use them
Im the one who pointed out her fears and how 2 lose them
And if a difference love will make
This advice u oughta take
Baby let me read her journal
Or should I say: she turned around and it was gone
The innuendo reads eternal
Or should I say: every other page Im on
U need 2...
Do it like she like, do it like she like it (sleep around) {x3}
Do it like she like it, like it, like it...
Do it like she like it
So your baby dont wanna sleep around
Give her what she want when she want it
When it come 2 u, she down
Sleep around, sleep around
Do it like she like it
So your baby dont wanna sleep around
(Im watchin u, baby) (do it like she like it, do it)
Give her what she want when she want it
When it come 2 u, she down
(do it like she like)
Sleep around, sleep around
Do it like she like, do it like she like it {x4}
(sleep around) {x5}
Do it like she like {x5}
Do it like she like it
Do it like she like
Do it {x10}
Do it like she like it (sleep around)
song performed by by Prince
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sleep Come!
Sleep baby, Sleep.
Tearaway all those dreams.
Fly them away with the-
night bats.
Cry in heavenly peace.
Sleep darlin';
cryin' of pain, fear.
Sleep baby, Sleep
in the silence of the night.
Dream baby, Dream.
poem by Celine Berghmans
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Big Sleep
Sing low the baby 'cos we're here tonight
Together everyone is here in sight
The world and them, no they don't see our sky
But no it isn't right
Wash all the clothes when he is here in sight
I couldn't even be and try to hide
You've got my baby till the day I die
It's so cold outside
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
INSTRUMENTAL
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
I go away 'cos daddy wasn't feeling right
The clouds passing by me in the moonlight
No coming down now that I've got the time
Oh, I was born to fly
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
song performed by by Texas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Big Sleep
Sing low the baby 'cos we're here tonight
Together everyone is here in sight
The world and them, no they don't see our sky
But no it isn't right
Wash all the clothes when he is here in sight
I couldn't even be and try to hide
You've got my baby till the day I die
It's so cold outside
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
INSTRUMENTAL
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
I go away 'cos daddy wasn't feeling right
The clouds passing by me in the moonlight
No coming down now that I've got the time
Oh, I was born to fly
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
Here comes the big sleep scene in my eyes
song performed by by Texas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dedicated to ppl who dont sleep
Sleep, sleep, sleep
It’s magnificent and nice,
With dreams beyond wonder,
Sleep! sleep! sleep!
Sleep, sleep, sleep
Eyes tightly closed,
A little smile on you r cheeks,
Feeling the ambiance
Of the pure and precious sleep,
Sleep! sleep! sleep!
Sleep, sleep, sleep
Forgetting insane things of the mixed world outside
Relax my dear, feel the gentle breeze,
Do not worry about tomorrow, do not weep,
Wake up fresh in the morning with a recuperate mind,
Fresh and blessed with a wonderful sleep,
SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP!
poem by Tejaswini Iyer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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