Cradle Song
Adelaide Crapsey
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 blessed Queen of Heaven
Her own dear Son hath given
For my son’s sake; his sleep
Is safe and sweet and deep.