This song is one of five lyrics by Adelaide Anne Proctor set by Sullivan, the most famous being The Lost Chord.

MIDI File [18K, 3' 29"]

Score [232K]

Hush! I cannot bear to see thee Stretch thy tiny hands in vain; Dear, I have no bread to give thee, Nothing, child, to ease thy pain. When God sent thee first to bless me, Proud and thankful, too, was I; Now, my darling, I, thy mother, Almost long to see thee die. I, thy mother, Almost long to see thee die. Sleep my darling, thou art weary God is good, but life is dreary.

Better thou shouldst perish early,
Starve, so soon, my darling one,
Than in helpless sin and sorrow
Vainly live as I have done.
Better that thy angel spirit
With my joy, my peace were flown,
Than thy heart grow cold and careless,
Reckless, hopeless, like my own.
Cold and careless,
Reckless, hopeless like my own.
Sleep my darling, thou art weary
God is good, but life is dreary.

I am wasted, dear, with hunger,
And my brain is all opprest;
I have scarcely strength to press thee,
Wan and feeble to my breast.
Patience, baby, God will help us:
Death will come to thee and me.
He will take us to his heaven,
Where no want or pain can be,
Where no want or pain can be.
Sleep my darling, thou art weary,
God is good, but life is dreary,
Sleep, my darling,
God is good, but life is dreary.

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Page modified 1 December 2012