Introduction
National Portrait Gallery
Words: Edward Caswall, in The Rambler, June 1850, page 528.
Music: John B. Dykes (🔊 pdf nwc).
She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7
Words: Edward Caswall, in The Rambler, June 1850, page 528.
Music: John B. Dykes (🔊 pdf nwc).
Sleep! Holy Babe! upon Thy mother’s breast;
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest,
In such a place of rest.
Sleep! Holy Babe! Thine angels watch around,
All bending low with folded wings,
Before th’incarnate King of kings,
In reverent awe profound.
In reverent awe profound.
Sleep! Holy Babe! while I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that face awhile,
Upon the loving infant smile
Which there divinely plays.
Which there divinely plays.
Sleep! Holy Babe! ah! take Thy brief repose;
Too quickly will Thy slumbers break,
And Thou to lengthened pains awake
That death alone shall close,
That death alone shall close.
