Venice masks

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Syrian Mother's Lullaby - Ajan Syrian

Low hangs the morning star,
Arahan arahan!
Dull, like a fading scar,
Arahan,
Lies the Dead Sea.
Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe!
                On these Syrian sands,
                Golden Syrian sands, Jesus walked;
                Holding children's hands
                In his loving hands, Jesus walked:
                Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
                In my bosom hide your eyes,
                For a red dawn paints the skies.
                Little darling, do not weep—
                Jesus’ heart its watch doth keep.
                Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.

Green flags blow down the sky,
Arahan arahan!
Turk horsemen thunder nigh,
Arahan,
By the Dead Sea.
Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
                On these Syrian sands,
                Golden Syrian sands, Jesus walked;
                Clasping baby hands.
                In his tender hands, Jesus walked:
                Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
                Swift the crimson Turkmen ride—
                Near my heart your wee head hide.
                Jesus’ heart its watch doth keep;
                You shall slumber safe and deep.
                Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.

Where died the morning star,
Arahan arahan!
Flames Islam’s scimitar,
Arahan,
O'er the Dead Sea.
Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
                From these golden sands,
                Ancient homeland sands, Jesus walks
                Reaching living hands
                For our dying hands, Jesus walks:
                Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.
                While the cold dark waters rise
                In my bosom hide your eyes.
                Christ before us treads the deep,
                Jesus’ heart its watch doth keep;
                You shall never wake to weep!
                Sleep, sleep, my Christian babe.

Ajan Syrian (20th century) Syria?
Source: Poetry Magazine, Vol XII, No. V, August 1918, available at: Poetry Foundation

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