Classic Poem

When the happy darkness creeps
From the east, across the hill,
Every little birdling sleeps,
Every butterfly is still;
Every little clover head
Folds its leaves and nods in bed,
While the starlight overhead
Through the happy darkness, keeps
Watch o'er every bird that sleeps.

Now, my little baby, hark!
Hear the tiny crickets' song;
Through the warm and happy dark
They are crooning all night long.
Happy, quiet dark, that brings
Rest and nest to weary wings,
Rest to all the woodland things —
To my little baby, rest,
Lulled to sleep on mother's breast.

Oh, the happy, quiet dark,
Bringing rest from song and play,
Till the morning wakes the lark
Joyous for another day!
Happy dark, that brooding lies
Warm and soft on fields and skies,
While the frogs sing lullabies —
Happy, quiet dark, that keeps
All things still while baby sleeps.