Close your eyes . . .

It's been a long time since someone asked me to sing them to sleep. I'm not much of a singer, believe me, but when the request comes I immediately begin: 

"Close your eyes, and I'll sing you a song,
Lullaby, sleep til morning comes. "

I don't know the lyrics for very many songs, and I usually flub them up no matter what. I've forgotten even all the songs I created for my kids over the years, but this one is burned in my brain . . . 

"The cricket's serenade echoes softly through the night.
The stars are on the lake, and the moon is shining bright."

It's because of my husband. He was the first to identify this song as "the song,"  I cannot recall if it happened at the hospital while we were waiting to give birth, or if it was later at home after our first tiny bundle came home. But I do remember that there were tears in his eyes as he told me he wanted to play this song for his baby . . .

"Don't worry, I'll leave the light on in the hall;
Just go to sleep now, close your eyes."

The CD had been loaned to me by a friend from work, and she had to threaten me to get it back (you know, I don't do that kind of thing on purpose! I'm the forgetful sort.) It was filled with funny, cute songs. And this one gorgeous lullaby . . . 

"Close your eyes, listen to my song,
Lullaby, sleep until the dawn.
The birds are in their nest, and the cows are in the barn,
The covers on your bed will keep you safe and warm;
Don't worry, I'll be beside you should you call,
Just go to sleep now, close your eyes."

I guess it stuck with me at first because of my husband, but stayed with me because of my son. This next part always elicited a sleepy sigh and smile from my boy, never failed to send him happily off to dreamland, and must have something to do with his continuing fascination with the winged beasts:

"Dragons in the sky,
Flying with their golden treasure,
If you catch their eye,
Wishes granted, more than you can measure;"

And tonight I'd hoped it would do the same for my daughter, the one who placed the request 2 hours past her bedtime while she tried desperately to keep me off her back about going to sleep. What else can a mother do but turn to the old reliable? 

"I'll be beside you should you fall,
Just go to sleep now, close your eyes."

No luck, though. I ended up sending her already sleeping father in there to lull her to sleep with his snores. While it might have always worked on her older brother (at least after the second try), it wasn't doing anything for her. Still, I always do leave the light on in the hall. And I know my kids can feel it whenever I sing it; this song means something to us all.

"The cricket's serenade echoes softly through the night.
The stars are on the lake, and the moon is shining bright.
Don't worry, I'll leave the light on in the hall;
Just go to sleep now, close your eyes.
Just go to sleep now, close your eyes."

("Lullaby" from Trout Fishing in America's Big Trouble )