Combine Alison Krauss‘s voice, the songwriting skills of Stephen Foster (who some consider to be the greatest American songwriter), and the talent of Yo-Yo Ma, Mark O’Connor and Edgar Meyer, you are bound to get beautiful music. This is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. When we went on our babymoon cruise one of our dining companions (we were seated with some great people) asked everyone at the table what would you have played, sung or read at your funeral. I was the first to speak…because I knew the answer before it was asked. I want to hear Slumber My Darling as my ashes are blowing in the wind. But, then in actuality, I wouldn’t hear it being played or sung. Everyone else would. So, in the meantime, I will sing to Haven when I’m rocking Haven to sleep.
Slumber, my darling, thy mother is near,
Guarding thy dreams from all terror and fear,
Sunlight has pass’d and the twilight has gone,
Slumber, my darling, the night’s coming on.
Sweet visions attend thy sleep,
Fondest, dearest to me,
While others their revels keep,
I will watch over thee.
Slumber, my darling, the birds are at rest,
The wandering dews by the flow’rs are caressed,
Slumber, my darling, I’ll wrap thee up warm,
And pray that the angels will shield thee from harm.
Slumber, my darling, till morn’s blushing ray
Brings to the world the glad tidings of day;
Fill the dark void with thy dreamy delight–
Slumber, thy mother will guard thee tonight,
Thy pillow shall sacred be
From all outward alarms;
Thou, thou are the world to me
In thine innocent charms.
Slumber, my darling, the birds are at rest,
The wandering dews by the flow’rs are caressed,
Slumber, my darling, I’ll wrap thee up warm,
And pray that the angels will shield thee from harm.