Suo Gan

The Welsh lullaby is also a Christmas carol

This is one of many songs the Choir director introduced me to. The title was the first problem for me — it is pronounced See-Oh-Gan. It was presented in Christmas format, but a quick online search informs me that it is a Welsh lullaby!

I greatly wonder where the Christmas version came about, but there are all sorts of urban myths surrounding this song. One person even told me it was Japanese!

The lyrics, without delay.

Sleep, dear infant, sleep my Jesus,

Slumber gently. safe and warm.

Mary fondly watches o’er thee,

Nestled in her loving arms.

Holy angels gather ‘round thee,

Word made flesh from Heaven above!

Humble Shepherds, brought by angels,

Joyfully in faith now kneel,

Swaddling bands and lowly manger,

Our incarnate God reveal!

Christ is Born!/Suo Gan

That is a rather haphazard rendition, relying purely on my very poor memory. The choral renditions of it were very touching and beautiful. Few people have ever heard of this version before, which is a real shame. The original lyrics,

Sleep my darling, on my bosom, / Harm will never come to you; / Mother’s arms enfold you safely, / heart is ever true. / As you sleep there’s naught to scare you, / Naught to wake you from your rest; / Close those eyelids, little angel, / Sleep upon your mother’s breast.

Sleep, my darling, night is falling / Rest in slumber sound and deep; / I would know why you are smiling, / Smiling sweetly as you sleep! / Do you see the angels smiling / As they see your rosy rest, / So that you must smile an answer / As you slumber on my breast? / Don’t be frightened, it’s a leaflet / Tapping, tapping on the door; / Don’t be frightened, ‘twas a wavelet / Sighing, sighing on the shore. / Slumber, slumber, naught can hurt you, / Nothing bring you harm or fright; / Slumber, darling, smiling sweetly / At those angels robed in white!