Sleep my little one, sleep my dear

Night is falling
Darkness is near
Sleep
Sleep
Close your eyes, and sleep

Sleep my little child while you're young and free.
May the Lord protect you when you go to sea.
Listen to my song; don't grow up too soon.
The hungry sea is waiting for you 'neath the moon.

Chorus:
Sleep my little one
Sleep my dear
Night is falling
Darkness is here
Sleep
Sleep
Close your eyes, and sleep.

Now your mother rocks you so lovingly
Stormy winds will rock you when you're out to sea
...

This is what I can remember of an SATB choral arrangement from high school. I would love to know the name of the song and its composer/arranger. I have sung a gentler version to my grandchildren.

Comments for Sleep my little one, sleep my dear

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Mar 31, 2022
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Something? lullaby song NEW
by: Anonymous

Close your eyes go to sleeeep.

Mar 31, 2022
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Something lullaby NEW
by: Anonymous

Sleep my little child.
While you young and free.
May the lord protect men who sail the sea.
Listen to my song
Don't grow up too soon.
The hungry sea is waiting for you neith the mo on.

Sleep my little one.
Sleep my lit.
Night is falling
Darkness is near.
Go to sle eep.

Feb 18, 2019
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Lullaby NEW
by: Anonymous

I also sang this in triple trio choral group in the early 70’s. Have sung to children and to myself when having trouble falling asleep.

Jul 30, 2015
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Sang it at Chaffey High School
by: Anonymous

I too have been trying to obtain the full version of what I recalled as being the Seafayer's Lullabye. I hope we all find it soon. My five children and 7 of my 9 grand babies have had this sung to them...what I can remember of it, that is.

Apr 18, 2015
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Breton Lullaby-Simon Sisters
by: Andrea

My brother had this song, which I loved, on a vinyl LP in the mid-60's called "Meet the Simon SIsters", performed by Carly Simon and her sister Lucy. The lyrics were very similar to the ones you've listed.
These are the lyrics as I remember them:
Verse: Come my baby sleep while you're young and free
May the Lord protect men who sail the sea.
Chorus: Listen to my song
Don't grow up too soon.
The hungry sea is waiting for you
'Neath the moon
Verse: Father's ship went down in the northern seas
Then my baby came and my pain did ease
Chorus
Verse: Even now your eyes are as blue as waves
Breton fishermen end in ocean graves
Chorus

The melody of the chorus was basically the same as the YouTube version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ce745khgGA
The melody of the verses was a little different

Wish I had the recording to upload. The harmony was just beautiful.

Jan 31, 2015
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Breton Lullaby
by: Stephanie Gleeson

I knew your "Seafarer's Lullaby" as a hauntingly beautiful track called "Breton Lullaby" from a vinyl LP titled "The Cherry Hill Singers" which was gifted to me by my parents in approx 1970-71.The style was folk and they were either American or Canadian. Gorgeous vocal harmonies. I believe the group were young males. As a result of loving this song I have an enduring interest in Bretagne (Britany) and have visited churches along that part of the French coast which have replica fishing vessels suspended from the ceiling and where prayers for Seafarer's are an integral part of worship.
So..here are the lyrics which I remember.I know the accuracy will be imperfect. Apologies in advance! I do remember that this Lullaby was attributed as "traditional".

Breton Lullaby
Chorus
Sleep my little child while you're young and free
May the Lord protect those who sail the sea
Sleep my little child don't grow up too soon.
The hungry sea is waiting for you
'Neath that moon.

Another ship went down in the Northern Sea
And my baby wept and my baby grieved.

Chorus

Even though your eyes are open half way
Breton fishermen ride the ocean waves.

Chorus

I believe the verse about the child's father mentioned by a previous contributor was correct and included as a verse. As I haven't recalled it myself I have not put it in.

Jan 31, 2015
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Apr 19, 2012
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Thank You!
by: Anonymous

Just a note to thank you for the link to the Youtube performance of Lullaby for Seafarers. If I trust my memory, that is a slightly different arrangement of the choral song that we sang in my high school a cappella choir.
Beginning Chorus: Sleep my little one, sleep my dear. Night is falling, darkness is near. Sleep, sleep, close your eyes go to sleep.
V1: Sleep my little child, while you're young & free. May the Lord protect the men who sail the seas.
V2: Even now your eyes are as blue as waves; the blue waves that roll above ocean graves.
V3: (same as remembered above)
V4: Father's ship went down in a wintry storm; he never knew the love of a son newborn.
Final Chorus: (same, except it ends as...) Sleep, sleep, close your eyes and sleep.

Apr 17, 2012
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The name is
by: Anonymous

Lullaby for Seafarers

Editor's Note - there is a YouTube available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ce745khgGA

Feb 18, 2012
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Most Beatiful Lullaby
by: Anonymous

I've been looking for the answer to this also...haunting, beautiful lullaby

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