Baby understands sweet song, With no words of right or wrong. Guileless babies. Jesus told How, within the Heavenly Fold, All the little ones, in grace See our Father’s blessed face. There what holy song they learn, Ne’er to evil ways to turn. Half the soul-buds of the world Go to Heaven to be unfurled; In that Home where ne’er was heard Thought of sin or evil word. Baby’s bed is ready now. See the gladness light its brow. Softly tuck the velvet feet; Kiss the dimpled fingers sweet; Gently sing a lullaby, Till Love shuts its starry eye. Baby’s bed’s a sacred place, Free from every guile. E’en the weariest of earth Can but look and smile. Be not proud, the angels there Guard the precious one with care, And the light from Pearly Gates Shines across the bed, Where the shining angel waits At the cradle head. Sweetest vigils we will keep, Hush! the darling is asleep. BABIES Darling babies, precious babies! To the cradles flocking, flocking; Little men and little women In the cradles rocking, rocking. Sweetest baby voices cooing; Dimpled fingers clasping, playing; Baby smiles and baby glances, From the cradles swaying, swaying. O! the stars may pale in ashes, And the sun may cease its glowing; But these new-born souls forever Must be onward going, going! Bless these tender hearts, O Saviour! With Thy love these loves entwining; Make them Thine own fadeless jewels. In Thy crown forever shining. LULLABY OF THE ARCTIC Sleep, baby, sleep;—safe from the storm, Hid in thy wrappings downy and warm Tell all the drifting snow Tell all the winds that blow, That they must softly go; Baby is here. Sleep, baby, sleep; storm-clouds have fled, And not a snow-flake touched baby’s bed! Tell the Aurora bright, Tell all the stars of night, Send down your cheery light; Baby is here! Sleep, baby, sleep: God holds the world: His starry banner now is unfurled. Hear what the angels say, Sent on their shining way, One soul is pure as they; Baby is here. BABY NOAH When Mother Lamech’s baby boy In the bright hammock swung, And Grandpapa Methuselah Some cheery anthem sung, As baby Noah sucked his thumb, Or played with wee pink toes, He knew not of the flood to come With all its startling woes. And when he clapped to see the stars Peer through the heavens dark, He did not know his dimpled hands Would plan the precious Ark. He knew not that the baby voice Then learning “lullaby” Must yet be by the nations heard, Sent by the King on high;