Backward turn backward o'time in your flight,
make me a child again just for tonight!
Mother come back from echoless shore,
take me again to your heart as of yore.
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,
smooth the few silver threads out of my hair.
Over my shoulders your loving watch keep,
rock me to sleep, mother rock me to sleep!
Backward flow backward oh tide of the years,
I am so weary of toil and of tears.
Toil without recompense, tears all in vain,
take them and give me my childhood again.
I have grown weary of dust and decay,
weary of flinging my soul-wealth away.
Weary of sowing for others to reap,
rock me to sleep, mother rock me to sleep!
Over my heart in the days that are flown,
no love like mother love has ever shown.
No other worship abides and endures,
faithful, unselfish, and paitent like yours.
No one like a mother can charm away pain,
from the sick soul and the world weary brain.
Slumbers soft calms over my heavy lids creep,
rock me to sleep, mother rock me to sleep!
Mother, dear mother the years have been long,
since I last listened to your lullaby song.
Sing them and unto my soul it shall seem,
womanhood's years have been only a dream.
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,
with your eyelashes just sweeping my face.
Never here after to wake or weep,
rock me to sleep, mother rock me to sleep!