A COSSACK LULLABY
Russian Folk Songs With English translations pp 44, 45 # 38

Sleep, my child, my baby Cos-sack,
Lul-la-lul-la-by!*
All the world is hush'd a-bout thee,
Silent earth and sky.

Shall I tell thee tales of faery,
Lul-la-lul-la-by?*
Gently rock they baby cradle?
Softly as I pray

'Mid the snow the wolves are howling
Through the dar, bright eyes are shining
Watchfulthere they lie

Strong thy father's arm to guard thee,
Safe thy home in father's keeping
Sleep till break of day

He shall be a man, my baby,
Rifle slung across his shoulder
Foes he shall defy

Mother's hands shall deck his saddle
Mother's heart shall bless his going,
When he rides away

Proudly Mother's eyes shall watch him
Ne'er was seen so brave a cossack
On his charger high

Lonely shall I be without thee
Sleep my baby in thy cradle
Far off yet that day

Night and day when thou has left me
Mother's thought will guard and bless they
To thy side will fly

Far away though thou be carried
Always for thy longing mother
Thou, my son. Wilt pray

Thou shalt have a holy relic
Guarding thee in storm and battle
On thy breat to lie

Mother love shall aye enfold thee
Ev'n as now while yet I guard thee,
Watching night and day.

* second line of each verse