Orkney Lullaby

A moonbeam floateth from the skies,     Whispering, "Heigho, my dearie!     I would spin a web before your eyes,--     A beautiful web of silver light,     Wherein is many a wondrous sight     Of a radiant garden leagues away,     Where the softly tinkling lilies sway,     And the snow-white lambkins are at play,--     Heigho, my dearie!"     A brownie stealeth from the vine     Singing, "Heigho, my dearie!     And will you hear this song of mine,--     A song of the land of murk and mist     Where bideth the bud the dew hath kist?     Then let the moonbeam's web of light     Be spun before thee silvery white,     And I shall sing the livelong night,--     Heigho, my dearie!"     The night wind speedeth from the sea,     Murmuring, "Heigho, my dearie!     I bring a mariner's prayer for thee;     So let the moonbeam veil thine eyes,     And the brownie sing thee lullabies;     But I shall rock thee to and fro,     Kissing the brow he loveth so,     And the prayer shall guard thy bed, I trow,--     Heigho, my dearie!"