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The Birds' Lullaby
by
E. Pauline Johnson


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I

    Sing to us, cedars; the twilight is creeping
        With shadowy garments, the wilderness through;
    All day we have carolled, and now would be sleeping,
        So echo the anthems we warbled to you;
                    While we swing, swing,
                    And your branches sing,
            And we drowse to your dreamy whispering.

II

    Sing to us, cedars; the night-wind is sighing,
        Is wooing, is pleading, to hear you reply;
    And here in your arms we are restfully lying,
        And longing to dream to your soft lullaby;
                    While we swing, swing,
                    And your branches sing,
            And we drowse to your dreamy whispering.

III

    Sing to us, cedars; your voice is so lowly,
        Your breathing so fragrant, your branches so strong;
    Our little nest-cradles are swaying so slowly,
        While zephyrs are breathing their slumberous song.
                    And we swing, swing,
                    While your branches sing,
            And we drowse to your dreamy whispering.

 

This poem is in the public domain.

 


E. Pauline Johnson (1861 - 1913) was one of Canada’s most popular and successful entertainers at the turn of the 20th century. The daughter of a Mohawk Native-Canadian father and an English mother, Pauline Johnson--at the age of 31--when her society expected her to marry and have children, adopted the name "Tekahionwake," created a Mohawk costume, and began touring Canada giving popular recitals of her poetry, comedy routines and plays. She was the first Native poet to have her work published in Canada, and was one of the few female writers at the time who could make an independent living from what she wrote and performed.

 

 


Post New Comment:
CatherineDempsey:
This was set to music for the Prince Edward Island choir, Sirens, by Sarah Quartel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr3ekfC7ZtM
Posted 03/21/2021 09:19 AM
Dorcas:
Lovely. If I could invade a bird's emotions?
Posted 10/06/2013 08:30 PM
Wilda Morris:
Beautiful!
Posted 09/26/2013 11:47 AM
rksanders@charter.net:
This is so lovely, it made me want to nestle in the arms of a cedar.
Posted 09/26/2013 07:40 AM


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