The text for this lullaby comes from a poem written by Isaac Watts in 1715. Watts later set the words to music, as did several other notable composers, including J.S. Bach and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This particular pairing of words and melody was first collected from the singing of Kentucky mountain peoples by Jean Thomas in the 1930s, which sets Watts' words to an old shape-note hymn tune, "Restoration."
Lyrics
Hush, my babe, lie still and slumber,
Holy angels guard thy bed,
Heav'nly blessings without number,
Gently falling on thy head.
How much better thou art attended,
Than the Son of God could be,
When from heaven He descended,
And became a child like thee!
Soft and easy is thy cradle,
Coarse and hard thy Savior lay:
When His birthplace was a stable,
And His softest bed was hay.
May'st thou learn to know and fear Him,
Love and serve Him all thy days;
Then to dwell forever near Him,
Tell His love and sing His praise.
Hush, my babe, lie still and slumber,
Holy angels guard thy bed,
Heav'nly blessings without number,
Gently falling on thy head.
