Adelaide Crapsey

Cradle Song

Madonna, Madonnina
Sat by the grey road-side,
Saint Joseph her beside,
And Our Lord at her breast;
Oh they were fain to rest,
Mary and Joseph and Jesus,
All by the grey road-side.

She said, Madonna Mary,
"I am thirsty, Joseph, and weary,
All in the desert wide."
Then bent down a tall palm-tree
Its branches low to her knee;
"Behold," the palm-tree said,
"My fruit that is drink and bread."
So were they satisfied,
Mary and Joseph and Jesus,
All by the grey road-side.

From Herod they were fled
Over the desert wide,
Mary and Joseph and Jesus,
In Egypt to abide:
Mary and Joseph and Jesus,
In Egypt to abide.

The blesse`d Queen of Heaven
Her own dear Son hath given
For my son's sake; his sleep
Is safe and sweet and deep.