Herbert Hughes Carol of Jesus Child

Carol of Jesus Child by Francis MacNamara

“What danger, Mary,
Imagining,
To those infant cries
so quick dost spring?”

The lovely lady
She rocked his bed,
She laughed to herself,
And singing said:

“Lullay my darling,
Byby, lullay;
I fear the darkness,
I fear the day…

A body so quaint
The air might press
(Lullaby, lullay)
With lovingness;

The ground beneath him
For joy might rise,
And my floorling sweet
Have rude surprise.

Danger us waiting
By hearth and way;
Lullaby, my love,
Byby, lullay.”