A Cradle Song

By Padraic Colum

O men from the fields,

Come gently within.

Tread softly, softly

O men coming in!

Mavourneen is going

From me and from you,

Where Mary will fold him

With mantle of blue!

From reek of the smoke

And cold of the floor

And the peering of things

Across the half-door.

O men of the fields,

Soft, softly come thro'

Mary puts round him

Her mantle of blue.