The Fairy Nurse
This lullaby is thought to be from an old Gaelic Irish lullaby that's been translated into English by Edward Walsh. Some sources say it was originally written in English by Walsh but that the tune is from ancient Ireland. We haven't been able to find a Gaelic version.
This lullaby is about a baby who was stolen by the fairies...
The Fairy Nurse
Lullaby
Sweet babe! a golden cradle holds thee,
And soft the snow-white fleece enfolds thee;
In airy bower I'll watch thy sleeping,
Where branchy trees to the breeze are sweeping.
Shuheen, sho, lulo lo!
When mothers languish broken-hearted,
When young wives are from husbands parted,
Ah! little think the keeners (1) lonely,
They weep some time-worn fairy only.
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
Within our magic halls of brightness,
Trips many a foot of snowy whiteness;
Stolen maidens, queens of fairy-
And kings and chiefs a sluagh shee (2) airy.
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
Rest thee, babe ! I love thee dearly,
And as thy mortal mother nearly;
Ours is the swiftest steed and proudest.
That moves where the tramp of the host is loudest.
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
Rest thee, babe! for soon thy slumbers
Shall flee at the magic koelshie's (3) numbers;
In airy bower I'll watch thy sleeping,
Where branchy trees to the breeze are sweeping.
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
Notes
(1) Keeners - mourners - people wailing and lamenting the dead
(2) Fairy Host
(3) Fairy Music
Below is a shorter, less ominous version of this lullaby.
Sweet babe, a golden cradle holds thee,
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
And soft the snow-white fleece enfolds thee,
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
In airy bower I'll watch thy sleeping,
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
Where branchy trees to the breeze are sweeping,
Shuheen sho, lulo lo!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated from the original Irish Gaelic by Edward Walsh or originally written in English by Edward Walsh.
