On This Night (Joseph's Lullaby)

THE FRIENDS OF ST GREGORY’S MINSTER KIRKDALE

kirkdale compositions

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On This Night (Joseph's Lullaby)

1.  Sleep, sweet son, while the angel choir

still echoes from on high.

Sleep, while sparks of starry fire

wheel through the midnight sky.

Sleep sheltered, warm, on mother's breast,

saved from all harm and fright;

while father, kneeling, joyful, blest,

prays blessings on this night.

 

2.   Shepherds come from the moonlit field

and leave their silvered sheep,

call you King, their homage yield,

and homely quiet keep;

and give their gifts, though poor and few,

and wonder at the sight

where ox and ass kneel down to you

upon this blessed night.

 

3.  Deep as ocean and deeper yet,

these mysteries unfold:

Ecce, virgo concipiet, as prophets have foretold.

And God, they say, is born as man,

the Word, the Life, the Light,

to right the wrong that man began:

then hallowed be this night.

 

4.  Grief and sorrow may be your part:

it is not ours to know.

Pain may pierce your mother's heart

if weal should turn to woe.

But ere the songs of angels cease

we hail the heavenly light:

Immanuel, our Prince of Peace,

is born this holy night.

 

5.  Sleep, sweet son, while the angel choir

still echoes from on high.

Sleep, while sparks of starry fire

wheel through the midnight sky.

Sleep sheltered, warm, on mother's breast,

saved from all harm and fright,

while father, kneeling, joyful, blest,

prays blessings on this night.

 


Words: copyright S.A.J. Bradley & Trustees of St Gregory's Minster 2014

Tune: may be sung to the traditional Irish 'Gartan Mother's Lullaby'

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