O safely sleep, my bonnie bairn!
   Rock'd on this breast o' mine;
The heart that beats sae sair within,
   Will not awaken thine.

Lie still, lie still, ye canker'd thoughts!
   That such late watches keep;
An' if ye break the mother's heart,
   Yet let the baby sleep.

Sleep on, sleep on, my ae, ae bairn!
   Nor look sae wae on me,
As if ye felt the bitter tear
   That blin's thy mother's e'e.

Dry up, Dry up, ye saut, saut tears,
   Lest on my bairn ye dreep;
An' break in silence, waefu' heart,
   An' let my baby sleep.


	Alex A. Ritchie