Lullaby of a Woman of the Mountain

Little gold head, my house’s candle,

You will guide all wayfarers that walk this mountain.

Little soft mouth that my breast has known,

Mary will kiss you as she passes.

Little round cheek, O smoother than satin,

Jesus will lay His hand on you.

Mary’s kiss on my baby’s mouth,

Christ’s little hand on my darling’s cheek!

House, be still, and ye little grey mice,

Lie close to-night in your hidden lairs.

Moths on the window, fold your wings,

Little black chafers, silence your humming.

Plover and curlew, fly not over my house,

Do not speak, wild barnacle, passing over this mountain.

Things of the mountain that wake in the night-time,

Do not stir to-night till the daylight whitens!