It’s fascinating to see how many different lyrics there have been! To my memory, my mammy always sang it to people like this:
And if I could climb to the skies Wonders for (insert name) I’d buy Sunlight to crown [his/her/their] wee head Starlight to guide [them/you] to bed And o’er the world silver wide Gently the moon sheds her light Clouds shall be dream ships for you Floating like bellows(?) of blue O luuuu la lo
It usually calmed me down when I was crying.
Dana: That is so beautiful, Duela! I might make an English arrangement of that for my students. I'll bet "bellows" is "billows!" Thanks for sharing.
My Grandmother sang this one by: Anonymous
Sleep little prince be at rest A little bird in the nest Garden and palace are still Darkness comes tiptoe down hill Lady moon sends forth her light Time will soothe all youthful fright Safe watch o’er you we will keep Sleep o my darling, now sleep O sleep, O sleep
Cradle song by: Honor
I remember this song as Sleep now my baby at rest.birds fly away to their nest. Peace lies oe'r valley and hill each summers day now is fill. Brightly the stars in the sky shine down on us from on high singing a soft lullaby a lull a lullaby
Korean version... by: marijo1951
I'm so glad to find this thread. Earlier today I went to see a wonderful Korean film 'Broker'. In one very moving scene, the young mother sang to her baby, thinking they were alone, although they were being spied on. Although the words in the subtitle didn't exactly match the lyrics I remember, the tune was instantly recognisable as the Mozart's lullaby that we sang at school in the 1960s (the 'Sleep now my baby at rest' version)
Mozart Cradle song by: Anonymous
Wow, the version I sang in choir for this song is very different from the ones I see here. I sang this in my freshman year of choir for 2017 UIL solo and ensemble. The lyrics were:
Sleep oh my darling now sleep Mother her vigil doth keep Birds are asleep in their nest lambkins and bees are at rest All now is quiet and still Hushed are the veil and the hill Soft be thy slumber and deep Sleep oh my darling now sleep Oh sleep, oh sleep.
Quiet now reigns in the house Still are the cat and the mouse Turmoil of day now is o’er Birdlings are singing no more All now in slumber doth lie (This is the one line I can’t remember) Sleep oh my darling now sleep Oh sleep, oh sleep
Wish I could remember than one line.
Dana: Hi, Anonymous, it is possible that the line you can't remember is "Bright are the stars in the sky," which is what my students sing. Thanks for contributing these lyrics. It is amazing how many different versions there are!
Burl Ives by: Maggie
Burl Ives had an LP of lullabies in which he sang a version of this song, as I remember it. "Sleep, oh my darling, and rest; Birds are asleep in their nests. Garden and meadow are still— Bees are no more by the mill— Only my baby so bright Lying awake in the night, Nestle your head on my chest Sleep, oh my darling and rest.
Listen! No sound can be heard— Thru the house nothing has stirred. Little gray mouse is not near, Cellar and kitchen are clear— Only my baby so bright Lying awake in the night, Nestle your head on my chest Sleep, oh my darling, and rest.
Oh, sle-eep, and rest."
Dana: Maggie, this is very sweet. Thank you for sharing this version!
Is this the same song ? by: Kathleen DR
"Sleep now my baby at rest Birds fly away to their nest Peace lies on valley and hill Each pretty bee now is still. Brightly the moon in the sky Shines down on us high. Sleep now thy mother is nigh."
I learned this in primary school at a 1969 BBC schools singing broadcast.
Dana: Kathleen, this HAS to be the same song...
The lyrics are slightly different, but quite parallel to all the other versions!
I'll bet the line "shines down on us on high" ought really to be "shines down on us from on high"...
Thanks for sharing.
Sleep little Bird... by: Tanya
Thanks so much for this thread. I’ve been trying to fill in the gaps to this lullaby. My mum used to sing it to me in the 60s.
I remember: Sleep little bird in your nest, Sleep while I’m watching you rest Now ‘Neath the moon’s silvery beam ships softly glide on the gleam
Over the world shining bright echoes across the still night Shall I come sailing with you over your pillow so blue I love, I love you
If I should climb to the sky Wonders for you I will buy Starlight to crown your small head Moon Light to guide you to bed
Over the world shining bright, echoes across the still night, Shall I come sailing with you, over your pillows so blue, I love, I love you.
Dana: What beautiful lyrics! Thank you, Tanya.
Thankyou, Mrs Schmale by: Malcolm King
Whilst at West Heath Junior School, Birmingham in the 1960s, our Music Teacher, Mrs Schmale, taught us this cradle song amongst many others from Germany. I remember the words distinctly and she is responsible for my love and appreciation of all things musical.
My Grandma used to sing this to me. by: Dean
Sleep little bird in the nest Love now is watching you rest Over the world silver bright Gentle the stars guide you tonight Love shall be waiting for you Floating on pillows of blue Oh la la loo la la loo Oh la la loo la la loo My little Lala Lala loo My little Lala Lala loo.
She would sing this to me when I was around 6-7 years old to get me to sleep, it has stayed with me all my life but the lyrics may have been altered by her as a quick get me to sleep song or my memory may just be wrong and she may have known and sung the correct lyrics all along? Love you Nanna. X
Dana: Hi, Dean. Did you know that this pretty song is originally in German? That may be the reason the English lyrics vary so much - they are all translations!
Cradle Song by: Anonymous
Sleep now my baby and rest. Birds fly away to their nest, Peace lies o're valley and hill, Each busy bee is now still. Brightly the moon in the sky, Shines down on us from on high. Sleep now thy mother is nigh, Singing her sweet lullaby. Her Lu--ll--aby.
Softly the daylight doth fade. All now in slumber are laid. Quiet is all in the house, Scarcely the stir of a mouse, Only a bird's plaintive cry, Echoes to us from on high, Sleep now thy mother is nigh, Singing her sweet lullaby. Her Lu--ll--aby.
I hope this is of interest. Are there any more verses?? I learned this as a child in the 1940's
Dana: This is lovely. Thank you for adding it here.
There seem to be many verses, but not necessarily put together with each other. Have you looked at verses contributed by other visitors to this page?
there is a second part of it by: Anonymous
I also sang this song at a school choir like 30 years ago. I could remember the first two lines of the second part of it.... "If I could climb to the sky Wonders for you I would buy... Couldn't remember the rest... have been searching for years.
More Lyrics to Mozart's Cradle Song by: Anne Smith
This is the version I sang at school in the 60s
Sleep little prince all is still Folded the sheep on the hill Silent the hum of the bees Birds are at rest in the trees, Quiet and peaceful the room, Slowly the big silver moon Rises and peeps o'er the sill Sleep little prince and be still Lie still, lie still
Not even a mouse is astir Kitchen and cellar are bare Calm lies o'er palace and park Never a sound in the dark Save from the maiden who sighs Stirs in her slumber and cries Dreaming as fond lovers will Sleep little prince and lie still
Who is so happy as thou? Free as the bird on the bough Plenty of nice things to eat Fine golden shoes for thy feet Carriage and horses to ride Footmen to run by thy side All shall be thine if thou will Sleep oh my Princeling be still Lie still, lie still
Dana: This is so pretty and old-fashioned. It fills me with yearning for simpler times... thank you for sharing!
At Last by: Jane
I learnt this version at the Sacred Heart College in Hastings over 50 years ago. Many times I tried to get the music and to see if I had the words right, or should I say remember. Finally I have found them. I cannot thank you enough. I can now be sure of passing on this beautiful lullaby correctly.
Dana: That's wonderful, Jane!
Sleep my little child sleep by: O.OF
My mother sang this lovely song to me too! Very nice to see the words I remember from when I was very small written down. I was astonished when I found out that the song my mother sang to me was based on the cradlesong attributed to Mozart. Wonder where she learnt it? as she sang the first line in German though she didn't speak German. I remember the tune slightly different in places from the "Mozart" melody. But I don't know if that's just me remembering it wrongly. This would have been sung to me in the late 1950s. I'd love to know how she knew it.
Can you help with the rest of the words by: Anonymous
Sleep pretty darling and rest Birdies are keeping their nest Gardens and fields all lie still Hushed is the hum of the rill...
Dana: Since the original is in German, I think you could make up your own words...
Cradle Song by: Anonymous
Delighted to find this lovely cradle song, which I first played on the piano when I was twelve. I've always loved it although the lyrics I know vary a little. There is a second verse but I cannot remember all of it :-
If I could fly to the sky Wonders for you I would buy - Sunlight to crown your small head, Starlight to guide you to bed ......................?
does any one know the remainder of the second verse?
Recollection of English school version in 1960's by: Malcolm Dixon
I sang this as a solo in the school choir, my recollection is:
Sleep now my baby at rest Birds fly away to their nest Peace lies on valley and hill Each busy bee now is still Brightly the moon in the sky Shines down on us from up high Sleep now thy mother is nigh Singing her sweet lullaby, lull-a-by....
Finally, after years searching by: Annabel
Thank you so much for this. I have been searching for years to find out the lyrics of this lullaby that my late mother used to sing to me. This makes me deeply happy to have finally found it. This is how I remember it...
Sleep little bird in the nest Love is now watching you rest While neath the moon's silvry beam Ships softly glide all a'gleam Gossamer sails shining bright Beckon across the soft night Shall I come sailing with you Make all your wishes come true Oh ladidadidoo
Now if I could climb to the sky Wonders for you I should find Sunshine to crown your small head Starlight to guide you to bed Gossamer sails shining bright Beckon across the soft light Shall I come sailing with you Make all your wishes come true Oh ladidadidoo
My memory of this lullaby from school in the sixties began by: Anonymous
Sleep now my baby at rest Birds fly away to their nest Peace lies on valley and hill
Lyrics from my Mum singing this lullaby by: Maire
I have a recording of my late Mum singing this lullaby when she was about 25 years old!
She died nearly 4 years ago & I treasure the recording of her voice. These are the lyrics she sings - and 2 verses!
Sleep Little Bird (Sung by Mum {Teresa McCann})
Sleep little bird in the nest
Love now is watching you rest
While neath the moon's silvry beam
Ships softly glide all a'gleam
Gossamer sails shining bright
Beckon across the soft night
Shall I go sailing with you
Where happy dreams come true
O luuuuu
If I could climb to the sky
Wonders for you dear I?d find
Sunshine to crown your small head
Starlight to guide you to bed
Gossamer sails shining bright
Beckon across the soft light
Sleep baby dear do not cry
Sleep in your lullaby
Oh Luuuuu
Dana:
Hi, Maire,
I love those lyrics! Especially "Sunshine to crown your small head... Starlight to guide you to bed." Thank you for writing to share those. What a treasure to have a recording of your mother at 25 years old.
Mozart's cradle song by: Anonymous
Sleep little bird in the nest
Birds fly away to their rest
Peace lies o'er valley and hill
Each busy bee now is still
Brightly the moon in the sky
Shines down on us from on high
Sleep for thy mother is nigh
Singing her soft lullaby.
Dana: Thanks so much for sharing this version!
More Please by: Anonymous
I am trying to find the words we sung at a choir festival in the sixties as I now want to sing them to my new grandson.
I know -
Sleep little bird in the nest
Love now is watching you rest
while neath the moons silvery beam
ships softly glide all a gleam
gossamer sail shining bright
beckons across the soft night
clouds shall be dream ships for you floating on billows of blue
oh lul la la la lal la loo
surely there is more????
Dana:
Hello, Anonymous. No, I can't find any additional lyrics to go with yours. The lyrics already submitted by another anonymous contributor (see below) are very close to the ones you are remembering:
Sleep little bird in your nest
Mother is watching your rest
While neath the moon's silvry beam
Ships softly glide all a'gleam
Gossamer sails shining bright
Beckon across the soft night
Shall I come sailing with you
Where happy dreams come true
O lu -----layloo
Re: Cradle Song by: Anonymous
Thanks very much. I'm only just learning to use my iPad and as I'm 80 it takes time. Glad u liked the words -- I sing them now to my great-granddaughter ! ! It's a lovely tune.
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Classical piano sheet music - 1 or 2 page intros, & some longer. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart & more - bite-size classics for beginning & advancing players.