Sleep little baby, now sleep, O'er you my vigil I keep.

Sleep little baby now sleep,
O'er you my vigil I keep.
Birds are returning to nest.
Each busy bee is at rest.

I heard this many years ago but have forgotten the composers name. It has a lovely melody and refrain and was sometimes called the Mendelssohn Lullaby'although there is no connection.
I would love to find the music and words. I believe that the Irish tenor Brendan o'Dowda recorded it in the 1960's.
Many thanks.

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Jul 16, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		And more possible lyrics NEW
by: Anonymous

Sleep, oh my darling, and rest
Birds are asleep in their nests
Garden and meadow are still
(Unknown)...on the rill
In through the window so bright
Shines the moon’s silvery light
Nestle your head on my breast
Sleep, oh my darling, and rest.
Dec 12, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		A bit more about Sleep little baby NEW
by: Ken Schulz

The first line in German is Schlafe, mein Prinzchen, schlaf ein (Sleep, my little Prince, go to sleep). The original German text is by Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter. As can be noted in these comments, there are several different English translations, so the article in English Wikipedia is under the German first line. The German title, Wiegenlied, simply translates as 'lullaby'.
I came to the Wikipedia article, and this page, after my wife and I watched the 1938 film version of Dickens' Christmas Carol, with Reginald Owen as Scrooge. An instrumental version plays in the background during several scenes, I found information on the piece on imdb.com.
Upon hearing the tune, my wife recalled having sung the song in English (with slightly different words yet again) as a child.
Feb 28, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Update Feb 2017 NEW
by: Anonymous

Finally established that the composer is Bernhard Flies and the work was published DAS Wiegenlied
Jan 20, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Brendan O'Dowda - Lullaby
by: Paul

Thank you Josephine, I really do appreciate you sending the lyrics. I would also love to find the music. I have a C.D. recording of your uncle singing it but the composer is not listed.
You will be rightly proud of Brendan O'Dowda, I grew up listening to him on Radio Eireann and had the great pleasure of seeing and hearing him in person at the Royal Albert Hall in the early 1960's (before the Beatles surfaced!)
Thanks once again.
Paul...
Dec 30, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Lyrics for Lullaby
by: Josephine

I do have the lyrics for you..... !

Sleep little baby now sleep
O'er you my vigil I keep
Birds are returning to nest
Each busy bee is at rest
All is so quiet and still
Hush now the vale and the hill
Sleep baby dear, do not cry
Sleep to your lullaby, your lullaby.

Quiet now reigns in the house
Stirring not even a mouse
Darkness and peace and around
Nothing is heard, not a sound
Bright stars all shine in the sky
Angels are watching on high
Sleep baby dear.........

Happy and bright is thy day
Sparkling with pleasure and play
Though all around you may rile
Life is for you but one smile
Deep and sincerely I pray
Through all your life it may stay
Sleep baby dear.....

May you bring pleasure to your listeners !
You are correct, Brendan O'Dowda, my uncle,
has it on record. It is a favourite of
mine also.
Happy 2015 ! - Josephine
Nov 24, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sleep little baby, now sleep
by: Anonymous

THANK YOU FOR SENDING THE WORDS.......VERY MUCH APPRECIATED...Paul...
Feb 09, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sleep little baby now sleep
by: CHARLES D. BLONDINO

Here are THE WORDS .AS I LEARNED THEM...IN A COLLEGE CLASS!!

SLEEP LITTLE BABY, NOW SLEEP
FATHER HIS VIGIL DOTH KEEP.
BIRDS ARE ASLEEP IN THIER NESTS.
LAMBKINS AND BEES ARE AT REST.
ALL NOW IS QUIET AND STILL.
HUSHED IS THE VAIL AND THE HILL.
SOFT BE THY SLUMBER AND DEEP.
SLEEP LITTLE BABY NOW SLEEP.
O SLEEEEP LITTLE BABY SLEEP

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