Lullaby to Erle

Mothers have woven
A black velvet ocean,
And spread it between
The night and day shores,
So that children might sleep
Gently rocked by the motion
Of waves beneath boats
Built by fathers like yours.

With you safe aboard,
By the shore we will linger
And watch as your breathing;
It fills up the sail.
You loosen the moorings,
Your grip on our finger
And leave on the velvet
A silvery trail.

Alone on the shore,
With our heart close to breaking,
We stand in the wake
As you glide from our reach.
Calmed by the thought
That the voyage your taking
Will bring you at dawning
Back safe to this beach.

We cannot sail with you,
Be there to guide you,
Or pilot your boat through
The black of the night.
But no ocean can keep you,
No darkness can hide you
Away from our love,
And its undying light.

We cannot sail with you,
Be there to guide you,
Or pilot your boat through
The black of the night.
But no ocean can keep you,
No darkness can hide you
Away from our love,
And its undying light.