Gently there, my child !

Gently there, my child!
Gently there, my child!

Lay thy little head and rest,
Every grief beguiled,
Where thou oft hast smiled,
Smile on thy mother's breast:
There sleep, nor even dream of care,
Time soon enough will bring thy share;

Sleep there,
Baby fair!
There on thy mother's breast.

When the chill winds blow.
And my babe may know
What it is to long for rest,
That heart not near
He clings to here,
May he find a Saviour's breast!

That when life's weary journey's o'er,
He may — to wake in sin no more —

Sleep there,
Free from care,
As on his mother's breast.