Poems of childhood

Chapter 11: BALOW, MY BONNIE

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About This Book

A collection of short lyrical poems written for and about children, blending playful nonsense, gentle lullabies, and nostalgic reminiscence. Many pieces evoke bedtime and nursery scenes, give voice to toys and animals, or imagine voyages and fairylike adventures, mixing humor with a tender melancholy. Several poems adapt or echo folk-song material, while others are brief narrative or character sketches that vary in meter and mood. Overall the verses create an intimate domestic atmosphere, inviting readers into childlike wonder through simple rhythms, vivid small-scale imagery, and affectionate observation.

BALOW, MY BONNIE

Hush, bonnie, dinna greit;

Moder will rocke her sweete,—

Balow, my boy!

When that his toile ben done,

Daddie will come anone,—

Hush thee, my lyttel one;

Balow, my boy!

Gin thou dost sleepe, perchaunce

Fayries will come to daunce,—

Balow, my boy!

Oft hath thy moder seene

Moonlight and mirkland queene

Daunce on thy slumbering een,—

Balow, my boy!

Then droned a bomblebee

Saftly this songe to thee:

“Balow, my boy!”

And a wee heather bell,

Pluckt from a fayry dell,

Chimed thee this rune hersell:

“Balow, my boy!”

Soe, bonnie, dinna greit;

Moder doth rock her sweete,—

Balow, my boy!

Give mee thy lyttel hand,

Moder will hold it and

Lead thee to balow land,—

Balow, my boy!