Padraic Colum

8 December 1881 – 11 January 1972 / County Longford

The Sister's Lullaby

You would not slumber
If laid at my breast:
You would not slumber.

The river-flood beats
The swan from her nest:
You would not slumber.

And like that quick flood
My blood goes unguessed:
You would not slumber.

Times without number
Has called the wood quest:
Times without number.

As oft as she called
To me you were pressed:
Times without number.

Now you'd not slumber
If laid at my breast
Times without number.

O starling reed-resting,
I’ll rock you to rest:
So you will slumber.
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