Scripture Verse

She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Introduction

portrait
Edward Caswall
(1814–1878)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Ed­ward Cas­wall, in The Ram­bler, June 1850, page 528.

Music: John B. Dykes (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Sleep! Ho­ly Babe! up­on Thy mo­ther’s breast;
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest,
In such a place of rest.

Sleep! Holy Babe! Thine an­gels watch around,
All bend­ing low with fold­ed wings,
Before th’in­car­nate King of kings,
In re­ver­ent awe pro­found.
In re­ver­ent awe pro­found.

Sleep! Ho­ly Babe! while I with Ma­ry gaze
In joy up­on that face awhile,
Upon the lov­ing in­fant smile
Which there di­vine­ly plays.
Which there di­vine­ly plays.

Sleep! Ho­ly Babe! ah! take Thy brief re­pose;
Too quick­ly will Thy slum­bers break,
And Thou to length­ened pains awake
That death alone shall close,
That death alone shall close.

illustration
Christmas Carols New and Old, 1871