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Sleep My Love, Sleep
Words by G. Whyte-Melville.
Composed expressly for Madame Patey.
Published by Boosey & Co., 1874.


Music cover
George John Whyte-Melville (1821-1878) was an ex-Guardsman who had served with the Turks in the Crimea. He wrote novels on fox-hunting themes as well as the lyrics for a number of songs and even composed some music. He died after an accident in the hunting field.

This song was also published by J. L. Peters of New York as Dream My Love, Dream, new words being supplied by Clarance Austin.

Karaoke File


Sleep, my love, sleep, rest, my love, rest.
Dieth the moan of the wind in the tree,
Foldeth her pinions the bird in her nest,
Sinketh the sun to his bed in the sea.
Sleep! sleep! lull'd on my breast,
Tossing and troubled and thinking of me,
Tossing and troubled and thinking of me.

Hush, my love, hush, with petals that close,
Bowing and bending their heads to the lee,
Fainteth the lily, and fadeth the rose,
Sighing and sad for desire of the bee.
Hush! hush! drooping like those,
Weary of watching and waiting for me,
Weary of watching and waiting for me.

Peace, my love, peace! falleth the night,
Veiling in shadows her glory for thee,
Eyes may be darkened while visions are bright,
Sense may be fettered though fancy is free.
Peace! peace! slumb'ring light,
Half sleeping, thinking and dreaming of me.
Peace! peace! slumb'ring light,
Half sleeping, thinking and dreaming,
And dreaming of me.

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Page updated 17 August, 2011