Wither’s Rocking Hymn

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Sweet baby, sleep! What ailes my dear?
What ailes my darling thus to cry?
Be still, my childe, and lend thine ear
To heare me sing thy lullaby.
My pretty lambe, forbeare to weep;
Be still, my dear; sweet babie, sleep!

Thou blessed soul, what canst thou fear?
What thing to thee can mischief do?
Thy God is now thy Father dear,
His holy spouse thy mother, too.
Sweet babie, then, forbear to weep;
Be still, my babe; sweet babie, sleep!

Sweet babie sleep, and nothing fear,
For whosoever thee offends
By thy Protector threatened are,
And God, and angels are thy friends.
Sweet babie, then, forbear to weep;
Be still, my dear; sweet babie, sleep!

17th centruty words