Now the darkness gathers,
Now the light is gone.
Sleep in peaceful slumber,
Sleep until the dawn..
Darkness all around you,
Darkness safe and warm,
Darkness will surround you
And keep you from all harm.
When you have grown older,
You will love the night,
Seek her as your lover,
Fleeing from the light.
Now she's like your mother
Keeping harm away,
Your sister or your brother,
Unlike the light of day.
Daylight harsh and brilliant
Shows all where you are,
Makes it hard for safety,
Keeps it very far.
Night will always love you,
If you let her in,
Keeping her above you,
Helping you to win.
Now when you are little
You still know the night
As a time of quiet,
Refuge from the light.
Now when sleep o'ertakes you,
And you close your eyes,
Dreams the night-wind makes you
Beneath the star-swept skies.
Now the darkness settles,
Now the night is nigh.
Sleep, my little darling,
Sleep, and do not cry.
Darkness all around you,
Darkness safe and warm:
Darkness will surround you
And keep you from all harm.
