Birds in the Night

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Words by Lionel H. Lewin.
Originally published by Boosey & Co., in 1869.

Birds in the Night is a re-cycling by Sullivan of the music to Hush'd is the Bacon from Cox and Box, libretto by F. C. Burnand. It appears that Burnand had been querulous over the reworking of this song, for Sullivan wrote to him after its publication: "You are not a bit astonished that Boosey has published different words to the Lullaby, because I told you of it over and over again and you said 'Quite right'. Moreover, the new words are excellent - done in my own house and every line considered with regard to the requirements of the music."

MIDI File [14K, 2' 53"]

Score [315K]

Birds in the night that softly call,
Winds in the night that strangely sigh,
Come to me, help me, one and all,
And murmur, murmur, murmur,
Murmur baby's lullaby,
Lullaby, lullaby,
Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby.
Lullaby baby,
While the hours run,
Fair may the day be,
When night is done,
Lullaby baby,
While the hours run,
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby,
Lullaby, lullaby.

Life may be sad for us that wake,
Sleep little bird and dream not why,
Soon is the sleep but God can break
When angels whisper. whisper,
Angels whisper lullaby,
Lullaby, lullaby,
Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby.
Lullaby baby,
While the hours run,
Fair may the day be,
When night is done,
Lullaby baby,
While the hours run,
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby,
Lullaby, lullaby.

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