“

Now reading

Syrian Mother's Lullaby

Low hangs the morning star,
drahan arahan!
Dull, like a fading scar,
Arahan,
Lies the Dead Sea.
Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe!
      On these Syrian sands,
      Golden Syrian sands, Jesus walked;
      Holding children's hands
      In his loving hands, Jesus walked:
      Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
      In my bosom hide your eyes,
      For a red dawn paints the skies.
      Little darling, do not weep-
      Jesus' heart its watch doth keep.
      Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.

Green flags blow down the sky,
Arahan arahan!
Turk horsemen thunder nigh,
Arahan,
By the Dead Sea.
Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
      On these Syrian sands,
      Golden Syrian sands, Jesus walked;
      Clasping baby hands

      In his tender hands, Jesus walked:
      Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
      Swift the crimson Turkmen ride-
      Near my heart your wee head hide.
      Jesus' heart its watch doth keep;
      You shall slumber safe and deep.
      Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.

Where died the morning star,
Arahan arahan,
Flames Islam's scimitar,
Arahan,
O'er the Dead Sea.
Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
      From these golden sands,
      Ancient homeland sands, Jesus walks;
      Reaching living hands
       For our dying hands, Jesus walks:
      Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
      While the cold dark waters rise
       In my bosom hide your eyes.
       Christ before us treads the deep,
      Jesus' heart its watch doth keep;
      You shall never wake to weep!
       Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.

41,493

poems

4,155

poets

207

poetic terms

Browse the collection

Explore the archive →

Selected

Poems worth returning to

The glossary

The language about poetry

From aubade to zuihitsu, 207 definitions of the forms, figures, and schools that shape the line.

Explore the glossary→