Once Songs As Lullabies To Thee I Sung, To Sleep Hath Sung Thee Now An Angel'S Tongue. From The German Of Ruckert. A Lovely Babe Was Lying Upon Its Mother'S Breast; And She, With Soft, Low Music. Was Hushing It To Rest. The Song Was Sweet And Gentle, And Loving In Its Tone; And In Its Touching Tenderness A Mother'S Love Was Shown. And Still It Floated Onward, With Melody So Deep, Till Closed The Dark-Fringed Eyelids, The Baby Was Asleep. And Still Beside His Cradle She Sang The Same Low Hymn, Till He Smiled, As He Was Sleeping, At Angel Fancies Dim. Years Passed.--The Helpless Infant Was Now A Happy Boy; And Often Rang His Laughter, In Notes Of Heartfelt Joy. Upon His Mother'S Bosom I Saw The Child Again; And His Little Head Was Drooping In Weakness And In Pain. Back From His Marble Forehead The Hair Streamed, Golden Bright; But Yet His Dark Eye Sparkled With More Than Mortal Light. And Suddenly He Whispered, "What Music Sweet I Hear! 'Tis Not The Song You Used To Sing At Night, O Mother Dear! "But Sweeter Far, And Softer, Than Notes You Ever Sung; It Is As If A Silver Bell Its Pleasant Chimings Rung. "It Tells Of Rest, Dear Mother, Of Slumber Calm And Deep; And I Am Worn And Weary, And Fain 'Would Sink To Sleep. "Darkness Is Closing Round Me-- You're Fading From My Sight-- I Hear It Still!--Dear Mother, Kiss Me Once More--Good-Night!" He Slept; But Angel Voices Had Sung His Lullaby; And Sweet Shall Be His Waking In Our Father'S Home On High!