Lullaby, My Sweet Little Baby    (Author unknown)  Music by William Byrd
(http://www.sosyourmom.com/madrigalia/byrd/lullaby.nwc)


1:  
Lulla-la, lulla lulla lullaby.
My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry?
Be still my blessed babe, though cause thou hast to mourn,
Whose blood most innocent to shed the cruel king hath sworn,
And lo, alas, behold, what slaughter he doth make,
shedding the blood of infants all, sweet Saviour for thy sake.
A King is born they say, which King this king would kill
O woe, and woeful heavy day, when wretches have their will.

2:
Lulla-la, lulla lulla lullaby.
My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry?
Three kings this King of kings to see are fcome from far,
To each unknown, with offerings great, by guiding of a star.
An shepherds heard the song which angels bright did sing,
Giving all glory unto God for coming of this King.
Which must be made away, king Herd would him kill.
O woe and woeful heavy day when wretches have their will.

3:
Lulla-la, lulla lulla lullaby.
My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry?
Lo, lo, my little babe, be still, lament no more.
From fury shalt thou step aside, help have we still in store.
We heavenly warning have some other soil to seek,
From death must fly the Lord of life, as lamb both mild and meek.
Thus must my babe obey the king that would him kill,
O woe and woeful heavy day when wretches have their will.

4:
Lulla-la, lulla lulla lullaby.
My sweet little baby, what meanest thou to cry?
But thou shalt live and reigh as Sibyls have forsaid,
As all the Prophets prophesy, whose mother, yet a maid,
And perfect virgin pure, with her breasts shall upbreed
Both God and man, that all hath made, the Son of heavenly seed.
Whom caitiffs none can 'tray, whom tyrants none can kill.
O joy, and joyful happy day, when wretches want their will.