Shlof shoyn mayn hungerik meydele Makh shoyn di eygelekh tsu Hungerik iz oykh dayn mamele un veynt nit un shreyt nit vi du, Nem alts vi zi nemt far lib Morgn s'vet oyfshteyn mayn meydele Vet zayn a sakh broyt in shtib Ay lyu lyu, ay lyu lyu lyu Nu, shlof shoyn, mayn kroynenyu
Shlof shoyn mayn narish kleyn meydele Vos iz haynt epes mit dir? Hungerik iz oykh dayn ketsele Un s'hot gor keyn taynes tsu mir Her, vi es myauket, es redt tsu dir: Meydl, loz mamen tsu ru! Hungerik iz oykh kleyn ketsele U kh'veyn nisht azoy vi du - Ay lyu lyu, ay lyu lyu Ny, shlof shoyn mayn kroynenyu
Shlof shoyn mayn orem kleyn meydele Vayl der shlof lindert di noyt Hungerik iz oykh dayn lyalkele Un veynt nisht un mont nisht keyn broyt Lern zikh kind, fun dayn lyalkele Veyst vos zi trakht atsind? Oy, vi batribt iz a mamele Ven hungerik iz ir kind Ay lyu lyu, ay lyu lyu Nu, shlof shoyn, mayn kronenyu
TRANSLATION
Sleep now, my hungry little girl Close tight your dear little eyes Your mother is also hungry But she doesn't cry or make noise Learn something, child, from your mother dear Try to look on the bright side - When you awake in the morning The house will be full of fresh bread So sleep no, my precious, my crown
Sleep now, my dear silly little girl What is it with you today Your kitten also is hungry But I don't hear it complain Hear how it's meowing, it's telling you: "Child, give your mother some peace!" Your kitten is also hungry But it doesn't cry like you do
Sleep now, my poor darlinglittle girl For slumber will soften your need Your little doll is also hungry But she doesn't cry out for bread Learn something, child, from your little doll Do you know what she's thinking just now? "Oh, how it weighs on a mother's heart When hungry is her dear child."
Ai li lu li lu, ai li lu li lu Ai li lu li lu li lu li, ai li lu li lu
Shlof shoyn mayn tayer faygele Makh shoyn tsu dayn kosher aygelekh Shlof shoyn shlof In ziser ruh Aaaaai lu lu lu lu lu lu
Shlof doorkh di gantse nakht Iber dayn kepele malekh'lach Makh shoyn dayn aykelekh tsu Ai li lu li lu
Daybelakh, hindelakh, faygelakh Tsigelakh, kelbelakh, shof un rinder Shlofen un rooehn yetst aleh baynakht Vi di klayne kinder
Shlof shoyn mayn faygele Makh shoyn tsu dayn aygele Ikh bin shoyn meed atsind Shlof, lu lu Shlof Shlof shoyn Shlof hob ikh dir gezoogt berele
Ai, li li li, lu lu Ai, li li li, lu lu lu Aiiiii, Luuuuu
Shlof mayn kind un rooh
Translation (Literal) Ai li lu li lu, ai li lu li lu Ai li lu li lu li lu li, ai li lu li lu
Sleep now my dear birdie Close now your Kosher eyes Sleep now sleep In sweet rest Aaaaay lu lu lu lu lu lu
Sleep through the entire night Over your head little angels Close now your little eyes Ai li lu li lu
Doves, hens, birds Goats, calves, sheep and cows Are all sleeping and resting now by night Like the small children
Sleep now my little birdie Close now your eyes I am already tired now Sleep, lu lu Sleep Sleep now Sleep, I have told you little bear
Ai, li li li, lu lu Ai, li li li, lu lu lu Aiiiii, Luuuuu
Sleep my child And rest
Translation (by Abner Silver)
Ai li lu li lu, ai li lu li lu Ai li lu li lu li lu li, ai li lu li lu
Sleep now my pretty little one; Slumber on my precious little one; Sleep in peace, the whole night thru, Ai li lu li lu lu lu lu Tucked in your trundle bed, Angels are watching overhead. Close your pretty eyes of blue, Ai li lu li lu.
Little bees, little birds are in the trees, Little fowls, little owls in the steeple Are in bed for the night, sleeping tight Just like all good little people. Sleep little one, I pray, I'm so weary with the cares of day. G-d bless your little heart. Sleep! Lu lu! Sleep! Lu lu! Sleep or I will call the little bear.
Ai li li li lu lu; ai li li li lu lu lu; Ai lu. Sleep, my child, lu lu!