The poem The Sandman was written by 19th century poet Margaret Vandergrift.  It’s about the mythological figure who throws sand in children’s eyes to put them to sleep at night.  Below you can hear the poem recited and read along….

MP3 Recording of The Sandman

 

The Sandman
By Margaret Vandergrift

 

The rosy clouds float overhead,

The sun is going down;

And now the sandman’s gentle tread

Comes stealing through the town.

"White sand, white sand," he softly cries,

And as he shakes his hand,

Straightway there lies on babies’ eyes

His gift of shining sand.

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,

As shuts the rose, they softly close,

When he goes through the town.

 

From sunny beaches far away—

Yes, in another land—

He gathers up at break of day

His store of shining sand.

No tempests beat that shore remote,

No ships may sail that way;

His little boat alone may float

Within that lovely bay.

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,

As shuts the rose, they softly close,

When he goes through the town.

 

He smiles to see the eyelids close

Above the happy eyes;

And every child right well he knows,

Oh, he is very wise!

But, if as he goes through the land,

A naughty baby cries,

His other hand takes dull gray sand

To close the wakeful eyes.

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,

As shuts the rose, they softly close,

When he goes through the town.

 

So when you hear the sandman’s song

Sound through the twilight sweet,

Be sure you do not keep him long

A-waiting on the street.

Lie softly down, dear little head,

Rest quiet, busy hands,

Till, by your bed his good-night said,

He strews the shining sands.

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,

As shuts the rose, they softly close,

When he goes through the town.

Many thanks to Lila Pomerantz for reciting this poem for us!

-Mama Lisa