PIV (oliO >a*i ONGS AND VERGES FOR A BABY "5 *\ . * • SONGS AND VERSES FOR A BABY Selected by* Lillie A. Marsh Newark, New Jersey 19 14 Copyright, 1913 by- Lillie A. Marsh The Daily Chronicle Press Orange, New Jersey- ©CI.A361036 ©0 Agefc tarn Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World, With the wonderful water round you curled, And the wonderful grass upon your breast, World, you are beautifully drest! W. B. Rands. Foreword HE primary object of this collection was to gather together musical rhymes about things that are daily coming to the knowledge of the child — the rain and snow, the sun and moon, birds and flowers. Some poems are only given in part. The aim has been to choose simple verses that will convey a thought within the comprehension of the child. The value of musical expression cannot be overestimated in the child's early training. His ear catches the rhythm, and as his mind developes, the result is shown in a finer use of words, and a happier expression for his thoughts. The collection has proved entertaining to the small children among my friends. That a wider circle may find pleasure in repeating these verses to their little ones, is my sincere wish in offering this little volume. L. A. M. Belleville, New Jersey, Nineteen Hundred and Thirteen. Seven NOTE Thanks are due to the publishers for per- mission to use these poems: To HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN COMPANY for "Little Gustava" (extract), by Celia Thaxter; "Play With Me," by Edith M. Thomas. To THE MACMILLAN COMPANY for the verses from "Sing-Song," by Christina G. Rossetti. To CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS for the verses from "A Child's Garden of Verses," by R. L. Stevenson; "The Rock-a-by Lady" (in part), from "Love Songs in Childhood," by Eugene Field; "Night and Day," from "Rhymes and Jingles," by Mary M. Dodge. To THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY for "A Sea- Song from the Shore" (in part), by J. W. Riley. Eight Nature Nine Nature TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the glorious sun is set, When the grass with dew is wet, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep. For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Still I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Jane Taylor. Eleven Nature O, LOOK AT THE MOON O, look at the moon, She is shining up there; O, mother she looks, Like a lamp in the air. Last week she was smaller, And shaped like a bow, But now she's grown bigger, And round like an "O." Eliza L. Follen. Twelve Nature UP AND DOWN The sun is gone down And the moon's in the sky; But the sun will come up, And the moon be laid by. Sure is the summer, Sure is the sun; The night and the winter Away they run. George Macdonald. Thirteen Nature LADY MOON 'Lady Moon, Lady Moon, where are you roving?" "Over the sea." 'Lady Moon, Lady Moon, whom are you loving?" "All that love me." Lord Houghton. RAIN The rain is raining all around It falls on field and tree, It rains on the umbrellas here, And on the ships at sea. R. L. Stevenson. Fourteen Nature LITTLE RAINDROPS Oh! where do you come from, You little drops of rain, Pitter patter, pitter patter, Down the window-pane? They won't let me walk, And they won't let me play, And they won't let me go Out of doors at all today. Tell me, little raindrops, Is that the way you play, Pitter patter, pitter patter, All the rainy day? The little raindrops cannot speak, But "pitter patter pat," Means, "We can play on this side : Why can't you play on that." Ann Hawkshaw. Fifteen Nature FALLING SNOW See the pretty snowflakes Falling from the sky; On the wall and housetops Soft and thick they lie. Look into the garden, Where the grass was green; Covered by the snowflakes, Not a blade is seen. Now the bare black bushes All look soft and white, Every twig is laden, — What a pretty sight! Anon. Sixteen Nature WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you : But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing thro'. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I : But when the trees bow down their heads The wind is passing by. Christina G. Rossetti. Seventeen Nature THE NORTH WIND DOTH BLOW The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then? Poor thing ! He'll sit in the barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing. Poor thing! The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will the children do then, Poor things? When lessons are done, They will jump, skip and run, And play till they make themselves warm, Poor things. Anon. Eighteen Nature A SEA-SONG FROM THE SHORE Hail! Ho! Sail! Ho! Ahoy! Ahoy! Ahoy! Who calls to me, So far at sea? Only a little boy Sail Ho! Hail! Ho! The sailor he sails the sea; I wish he would capture A little sea-horse And send him home to me. J. W. Riley. Nineteen Nature THE RAINBOW Boats sail on the rivers, And ships sail on the seas; But clouds that sail across the sky Are prettier far than these. There are bridges on the rivers, As pretty as you please, But the bow that bridges heaven, And overtops the trees, And builds a road from earth to sky, Is prettier far than these. Christina G. Rossetti. Twenty Birds, Flowers, Animals Twenty-one Birds, Flowers, Animals WHAT DOES LITTLE BIRDIE SAY What does little birdie say, In her nest at peep of day? "Let me fly," says little birdie, "Mother, let me fly away." "Birdie, rest a little longer, Till the little wings are stronger." So she rests a little longer, Then she flies away. What does little baby say, In her bed at peep of day? Baby says like little birdie, "Let me rise and fly away." "Baby, sleep a little longer, Till the little limbs are stronger." If she sleeps a little longer, Baby, too, shall fly away. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Twenty-three Birds, Flowers, Animals IF EVER I SEE If ever I see, On bush or tree, Young birds in their pretty nest, I must not in play Steal the birds away, To grieve their mother's breast. My mother I know, Would sorrow so, Should I be stolen away; So I'll speak to the birds In my softest words, Nor hurt them in my play. Lydia M. Child. Twenty-four Birds, Flowers, Animals BABY BYE Baby bye, Here's a fly; Let us watch him, you and I. How he crawls Up the walls, Yet he never falls ! I believe with six such legs You and I could walk on eggs. There he goes On his toes, Tickling baby's nose. He can eat — Bread and meat; There's his mouth between his feet. On his back Is a pack Like a pedlar's sack. Does the baby understand? Then the fly shall kiss her hand; Put a crumb On her thumb, Maybe he will come. Twenty-five Birds, Flowers, Animals Flies can see More than we So how bright their eyes must be ! Little fly, Ope your eye Spiders are near by, For a secret I can tell, — Spiders never use flies well : Then away! Do not stay, Little fly, good day! Theodore Tilton. Twenty-six Birds, Flowers, Animals DAFFY-DOWN-DILLY Daffy- down- dilly Came up in the cold, Through the brown mold, Although the March breezes Blew keen on her face, Although the white snow Lay on many a place. "I can't do much yet, But I'll do what I can: It's well I began ! For, unless I can manage To lift up my head, The people will think That the Spring herself's dead." Anna B. Warner. Twenty-seven Birds, Flowers, Animals LITTLE WHITE LILY Little white lily Sat by a stone, Drooping and waiting Till the sun shone. Little white lily Sunshine has fed; Little white lily Is lifting her head. Little white lily Smells very sweet : On her head sunshine, Rain at her feet. "Thanks to the sunshine, Thanks to the rain! Little white lily Is happy again!" George MacdonalcL Twenty-eight Birds, Flowers, Animals I LOVE LITTLE PUSSY I love little pussy Her coat is so warm, And if I don't hurt her, She'll do me no harm. So I'll not pull her tail, Or drive her away, But pussy and I Very gentle will play. She will sit by my side, And I'll give her some food, And she'll like me because I am gentle and good. Jane Taylor. Twenty-nine Birds, Flowers, Animals THANK YOU, PRETTY COW Thank you, pretty cow, that made Pleasant milk to soak my bread, Every day and every night Warm and fresh, and sweet, and white. Do not chew the hemlock rank, Growing on the weedy bank; But the yellow cowslip eat, That will make it very sweet. Where the purple violet grows, Where the bubbling water flows, Where the grass is fresh and fine, Pretty cow, go there and dine. Jane Taylor. Thirty Rhymes and Jingles Story" Poems Thirty -one Rhymes and Jingles THE MUFFIN-MAN'S BELL "Tinkle! tinkle! tinkle," 'tis the Muffin-man you see. "Tinkle ! Tinkle !" says the muffin-man's bell; "Any crumpets, any muffins, any cakes for your tea? There are plenty here to sell." Ann Hawkshaw. Eight o'clock, The postman's knock, Five letters for Papa; One for Lou, And none for you, And three for dear Mamma. Christina G. Rossetti. Thirty-three Rhymes and Jingles For I am king of the mines, I live on ashes and soot, And when I want a nice morsel to eat, I chew up a baby's foot. John DeGraw. Help the weak if you are strong, Love the old if you are young, Own a fault if you are wrong, If you are angry, hold your tongue. Thirty-four Rhymes and Jingles A SURREY APPLE SONG Here stands a good apple tree, Stand fast at root, Bear well at top, Every little twig Bear an apple big. Every little bough Bear an apple now, Hats full! caps full! Three-score sacks full! Hallo, boys ! Hallo. Thirty-five Anon. Rhymes and Jingles MOTHER, SHAKE THE CHERRY TREE Mother, shake the cherry tree, Susan, catch a cherry, Oh, how funny that will be, Let's be merry! One for brother, one for sister, Two for mother more, Six for father; hot and tired, Knocking at the door. Christina G. Rossetti. Thirty -six Rhymes and Jingles LITTLE DOG RAGS But who is this through the doorway comes? Little Scotch terrier, little dog Rags, Looks in her face, and his funny tail wags : "Ha! ha!" laughs little Gustava. You want some breakfast too? and down She sets her bowl on brick floor brown; And little dog Rags drinks up her milk, While she strokes his shaggy locks like silk, "Dear Rags!" says little Gustava. Gelia Thaxter. From "Little Gustava." Thirty-seven Rhymes and Jingles KITTY IN THE BASKET "Where is my little basket gone?" Said Charlie boy one day. "I guess some little girl or boy Has taken it away. "And kitty, too, I can't find her, Oh, dear, what shall I do? I wish I could my basket find, And little kitty, too. "I'll go to mother's room and look; Perhaps she may be there, For kitty loves to take a nap In mother's easy chair. "0 mother! mother! come and look! See what a little heap ! My kitty's in the basket here, All cuddled down to sleep." Thirty-eight Rhymes and Jingles He took the basket carefully, And brought it in a minute, And showed it to his mother dear, With little kitty in it. Eliza L. Follen. Thirty-nine Rhymes and Jingles LONG TIME AGO Once there was a little kitty, White as the snow; In the barn she used to play, Long time ago. In the barn a little mousie Ran to and fro; For she heard the little kitty, Long time ago. Four soft paws had little kitty, Paws soft as dough, And they caught the little mousie, Long time ago. Anon. Forty Rhymes and Jingles MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB Mary had a little lamb, It's fleece was white as snow, And every where that Mary went, The lamb was sure to go. He followed her to school one day, That was against the rule; It made the children laugh and play To see a lamb at school. And so the Teacher turned him out, But still he lingered near, And waited patiently about, Till Mary did appear. "What makes the lamb love Mary so?" The eager children cry — "0, Mary loves the lamb, you know," The Teacher did reply. Sarah J. Hale. Forty-one Rhymes and Jingles FIVE LITTLE BROTHERS Five little brothers set out together To journey the live long day, In a curious carriage all made of leather They hurried away, away! One big brother, and three quite small, And one wee fellow, no size at all. The carriage was dark and none too roomy, And they could not move about; The five little brothers grew very gloomy, And the wee one began to pout, Till the biggest one whispered, "What do you say? Let's leave the carriage and run away!" So out they scampered, the five together, And off and away they sped! When somebody found that carriage of leather, Oh, my ! how she shook her head, 'Twas her little boy's shoe, as every one knows, And the five little brothers were five little toes. Anon. Forty-two Sleep And Other Verses Forty-three Sleep, and Other Verses SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP Sleep, baby, sleep! Thy father watches his sheep; Thy mother is shaking the dreamland tree, And down comes a little dream on thee. Sleep, baby, sleep! Sleep, baby, sleep! The large stars are the sheep, The little stars are the lambs, I guess, And the gentle moon is the shepherdess. Sleep, baby, sleep! From the German. Forty-five Sleep, and Other Verses SWEET AND LOW Sleep and rest, sleep and rest, Father will come to thee soon, Rest, rest, on mother's breast, Father will come to thee soon; Father will come to his babe in the nest, Silver sails all out of the west Under the silver moon; Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Forty-six Sleep, and Other Verses THE ROCK-A-BY LADY The Rock-a-by Lady from Hushaby street Comes stealing, comes creeping; The poppies they hang from her head to her feet, And each hath a dream that is tiny and fleet, She bringeth her poppies to you, my sweet, Where she findeth you sleeping! Would you dream all these dreams that tiny and They'll come to you sleeping; [fleet? So shut the two eyes that are weary, my sweet, For the Rock-a-by Lady from Hushaby street, With poppies that hang from her head to her Comes stealing; comes creeping. [feet, Eugene Field. Forty-seven Sleep, and Other Verses A CHARM TO GALL SLEEP Sleep, sleep, come to me, sleep, Gome to my blankets, and come to my bed, Gome to my legs, and my arms, and my head, Over me, under me, into me creep. Sleep, sleep, come to me, sleep: Softly I call you; as soft and as slow; Gome to me, cuddle me, stay with me so, Stay till the dawn is beginning to peep. Henry Johnstone. Forty-eight Sleep, and Other Verses A SLEEPING CHILD Lips, lips, open ! Up comes a little bird that lives inside, Up comes a little bird and peeps, and out he flies. Sleep, sle^p little boy, little bird must go, Round about the world, while nobody can know. All the day he sits inside, and sometimes he sings, Up he comes, and out he goes at night to spread [his wings. Little bird, little bird, whither will you go ? Round about the world while nobody can know. Back comes the little bird and looks, and in he [flies, Up wakes the little boy, and opens both his eyes. Sleep, sleep, little boy, little bird's away, Little bird will come again by the peep of day. A. H. Clough. Forty-nine Sleep, and Other Verses WEE WILLIE WINKIE Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Up stairs and down stairs in his night gown, Rattling at the windows, crying through the lock, "Are the children in their beds? for it's now eight o'clock." William Miller. GOOD NIGHT What do I see in baby's eyes? Shut tight! Shut tight! The blue is gone, the light is hid — I'll lay a soft kiss on each lid. Good night! Good night! From the St. Nicholas. Fifty Sleep, and Other Verses TIME TO RISE A birdie with a yellow bill Hopped upon the window-sill; Cocked his shining eye and said: "Ain't you 'shamed you sleepy-head?" R. L. Stevenson. HAPPY THOUGHT The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings. R. L. Stevenson. Fifty-one Sleep, and Other Verses How many days has my baby to play? Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, And kiss the place to make it well? My Mother. Fifty-two Sleep, and Other Verses MAMMA'S KISSES A kiss when I wake in the morning, A kiss when I go to bed, A kiss when I burn my fingers, A kiss when I bump my head. A kiss when I give her trouble, A kiss when I give her joy; There's nothing like mamma's kisses To her own little baby-boy. Anon. Fifty-three Sleep, and Other Verses "PLAY WITH ME!" The kitten came this morning, and said, With a touch of her paw, and a turn of her head, "Play, play with me!" # And Skye, the terrier, caught my hand, And tried to make me understand, — "Play, play with me!" And Nelly nipped my shoulder quite hard, And then she went prancing about the yard — "Play, play with me!" I played with them all ! Now, wouldn't you play If a little child, like me, should say, "Play, play with me!" Edith M. Thomas. Fifty-four Sleep, and Other Verses SINGING Of speckled eggs the birdie sings And nests among the trees; The sailor sings of ropes and things In ships upon the seas. The children sing in far Japan, The children sing in Spain; The organ with the organ man, Is singing in the rain. R. L. Stevenson. Fifty-five Sleep, and Other Verses MY SHADOW I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see; He is very, very like me from the heel up to the head, And I see him jump before me when I jump into my bed. The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow — Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow. For he sometimes shoots up taller, like an india-rubber ball, And he sometimes gets so little that there is none of him at all. Fifty-six Sleep, and Other Verses He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play, And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way; He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see, I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me! R. L. Stevenson. Fifty-seven Sleep, and Other Verses May every morning seem to say: "There's something happy on the way, And God sends love to you." Henry van Dyke. Little children you must seek Rather to be good than wise; For the thoughts you do not speak Shine out in your cheeks and eyes. Alice Cary. Fifty-eight Sleep, and Other Verses THE GOLDEN RULE IN VERSE Be you to others kind and true As you'd have others be to you; And neither do nor say to men What e'er you would not take again. From The New England Primer. There are many flags in many lands, There are flags of every hue; But there is no flag, however grand, Like our own Red, White and Blue. Fifty-nine Sleep, and Other Verses THE FLAG GOES BY Hats off ! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky; Hats off ! The Flag is passing by. Blue and crimson and white it shines Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines, Hats off ! The colors before us fly! Sign of a nation is passing by. Hats off ! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums; And loyal hearts are beating high: Hats off ! The Flag is passing by. H. H. Bennett. Sixty Religious Verses Sixty-one Religious Verses MORNING PRAYER For this new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends; For everything Thy goodness sends, We thank Thee Heavenly Father. R. W. Emerson. A CHILD'S PRAYER AT EVENING Father, who keepest The stars in thy care, Me, too, Thy little one, Childish in prayer, Keep, as Thou keepest The soft night through, Thy long, white lilies Asleep in Thy dew. G. G. D. Roberts. Sixty-three Religious Verses Oh, let us be like snow flakes So soft and pure and bright, And when God looks into our souls, He'll see a pleasing sight. M. M. How pleasant is Saturday night, When I've tried all the week to be good, Not spoken a word that was bad, And obliged every one that I could. Sixty-four Religious Verses NIGHT AND DAY When I run about all day When I kneel at night to pray, God sees. When I'm dreaming in the dark, When I lie awake and hark, God sees. Need I ever know a fear? Night and day my Father's near : — God sees. Mary M. Dodge. Sixty-five Religious Verses LITTLE THINGS Little drops of water, Little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean And the pleasant land. Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make this earth an Eden, Like the heaven above. E. C. Brewer. Sixty-six Religious Verses LET DOGS DELIGHT TO BARK AND BITE Let dogs delight to bark and bite For God hath made them so; Let bears and lions growl and fight, For 'tis their nature to. But, children, you should never let Your angry passions rise; Your little hands were never made To tear each other's eyes. Isaac Watts. Sixty-seven Religious Verses CHARITY Do you see that old beggar who stands at the door? Do not send him away — we must pity the poor. Oh! see how he shivers! he's hungry and cold! For people can't work when they grow very old. Go, set near the fire a table and seat, And Betty shall bring him some bread and some meat. I hope my dear children will always be kind Whenever they meet with the aged and blind. Elizabeth Turner. Sixty-eight Religious Verses CRADLE HYMN Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. [lay — The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But the little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus ! Look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Martin Luther. Sixty-nine Religious Verses HUSH, MY DEAR, LIE STILL AND SLUMBER Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber, Holy angels guard thy bed; Heavenly blessings without number Gently falling on thy head. Soft and easy is thy cradle; Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, When His birthplace was a stable And His softest bed was hay. May'st thou live to know and fear Him, Trust and love Him all thy days, Then go dwell forever near Him, See His face, and sing His praise ! Isaac Watts. Seventy Religious Verses JESUS, TENDER SHEPHERD, HEAR ME Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me; Bless Thy little lamb to-night; Through the darkness be Thou near me; Keep me safe till morning light. All this day Thy hand has led me, And I thank Thee for Thy care; Thou has warmed me, clothed and fed me, Listen to my evening prayer. Let my sins be all forgiven; Bless the friends I love so well: Take us all at last to Heaven, Happy there with Thee to dwell. Mary Duncan. Seventy-one Index NATURE Page. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Jane Taylor 11 O, Look at the Moon E. L. Follen 12 Up and Down George Macdonald 13 Lady Moon Lord Houghton 14 Rain R. L. Stevenson 14 Little Rain Drops Ann Hawkshaw 15 Falling Snow..... Anon 16 Who Has Seen the Wind C. G. Rossetti 17 The North Wind Doth Blow Anon 18 A Sea-Song from the Shore J. W. Riley 19 The Rainbow C. G. Rossetti 20 BIRDS, FLOWERS, ANIMALS What Does Little Birdie Say..Alfred, Lord Tennyson 23 If Ever I See L. M. Child 24 Baby Bye Theodore Tilton 25 Daffy-down-dilly A. B. Warner 27 Little White Lily George Macdonald 28 I Love Little Pussy Jane Taylor 29 Thank You, Pretty Cow Jane Taylor 30 RHYMES AND JINGLES: STORY POEMS The Muffin Man's Bell Ann Hawkshaw 33 Eight O'clock C. G. Rossetti 33 For I Am King of the Mines John DeGraw 34 Help the Weak if You are Strong 34 Surrey Apple Song Anon 35 Mother, Shake the Cherry Tree C. G. Rossetti 36 Little Dog Rags Celia Thaxter 37 Kitty in the Basket E. L. Follen 38 Long Time Ago Anon 40 Mary Had a Little Lamb S. J. Hale 41 Five Little Brothers Anon 42 Seventy-two SLEEP, AND OTHER VERSES Page Sleep, Baby, Sleep From the German 45 Sweet and Low Alfred, Lord Tennyson 46 The Rock-a-by Lady Eugene Field 47 A Charm to Call Sleep Henry Johnstone 48 A Sleeping Child A. H. Clough 49 Wee Willie Winkie William Miller 50 Good Night From the St. Nicholas 50 Time to Rise R. L. Stevenson 51 Happy Thought R. L. Stevenson 51 How Many Days Has My Baby to Play Anon 52 Who Ran to Help Me When I Fell Anon 52 Mamma's Kisses Anon 53 "Play with Me" E. M. Thomas 54 Singing R. L. Stevenson 55 My Shadow R. L. Stevenson 56 May Every Morning Seem to Say..Henry van Dyke 58 Little Children You Must Seek Alice Cary 58 The Golden Rule in Verse... .New England Primer 59 There are Many Flags in Many Lands Anon 59 The Flag Goes By H. H. Bennett 60 RELIGIOUS VERSES Morning Prayer R. W. Emerson 63 A Child's Prayer at Evening C. G. D. Roberts 63 Oh, Let Us Be Like Snow Flakes M. M. 64 How Pleasant is Saturday Night Anon 64 Night and Day M. M. Dodge 65 Little Things E. C. Brewer 66 Let Dogs Delight to Bark and Bite Isaac Watts 67 Charity Elizabeth Turner 68 Cradle Hymn Martin Luther 69 Hush My Dear, Lie Still and Slumber..Isaac Watts 70 Jesus, Tender Shepherd, Hear Me.. ..Mary Duncan 71 Seventy-three DEC 6 1913 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 100 758 8