Pinafore Palace Part 29

Do you know how many stars There are s.h.i.+ning in the skies?

Do you know how many clouds Ev'ry day go floating by?

G.o.d in heaven has counted all, He would miss one should it fall.

Do you know how many children Go to little beds at night, And without a care or sorrow, Wake up in the morning light?

G.o.d in heaven each name can tell, Loves you, too, and loves you well.

From the German.

_Where Do All the Daisies Go?_

Where do all the daisies go?

I know, I know!

Underneath the snow they creep, Nod their little heads and sleep, In the springtime out they peep; That is where they go!

Where do all the birdies go?

I know, I know!

Far away from winter snow To the fair, warm South they go; There they stay till daisies blow, That is where they go!

Where do all the babies go?

I know, I know!

In the glancing firelight warm, Safely sheltered from all harm, Soft they lie on mother's arm, That is where they go!

Unknown.

_The Sweetest Place_

A meadow for the little lambs; A honey hive for bees; And pretty nests for singing birds Among the leafy trees.

There's rest for all the little ones In one place or another; But who has half so sweet a place As baby with her mother?

The little chickens cuddle close, Beneath the old hen's wing; "Peep! Peep!" they say; "we're not afraid Of dark or any thing."

So, safe and sound, they nestle there, The one beside the other; But safer, happier, by far, Is baby with her mother.

Mary F. b.u.t.ts.

_Good-Night_

Little baby, lay your head On your pretty cradle-bed; Shut your eye-peeps, now the day And the light are gone away; All the clothes are tucked in tight; Little baby dear, good-night.

Yes, my darling, well I know How the bitter wind doth blow; And the winter's snow and rain Patter on the window-pane: But they cannot come in here, To my little baby dear;

For the window shutteth fast, Till the stormy night is past; And the curtains warm are spread Round about her cradle-bed: So till morning s.h.i.+neth bright, Little baby dear, good-night.

Jane Taylor.

_Nursery Song_

As I walked over the hill one day, I listened, and heard a mother-sheep say, "In all the green world there is nothing so sweet As my little lamb, with his nimble feet; With his eye so bright, And his wool so white, Oh, he is my darling, my heart's delight!"

And the mother-sheep and her little one Side by side lay down in the sun; And they went to sleep on the hill-side warm, While my little lammie lies here on my arm.

I went to the kitchen, and what did I see But the old gray cat with her kittens three!

I heard her whispering soft: said she, "My kittens, with tails so cunningly curled, Are the prettiest things that can be in the world.

The bird on the tree, And the old ewe she, May love their babies exceedingly; But I love my kittens there, Under the rocking-chair.

I love my kittens with all my might, I love them at morning, noon, and night.

Now I'll take up my kitties, the kitties I love, And we'll lie down together beneath the warm stove."

Let the kittens sleep under the stove so warm, While my little darling lies here on my arm.

I went to the yard, and I saw the old hen Go clucking about with her chickens ten; She clucked and she scratched and she bustled away, And what do you think I heard the hen say?

I heard her say, "The sun never did s.h.i.+ne On anything like to these chickens of mine.

You may hunt the full moon and the stars, if you please, But you never will find ten such chickens as these.

My dear, downy darlings, my sweet little things, Come, nestle now cozily under my wings."

So the hen said, And the chickens all sped As fast as they could to their nice feather bed.

And there let them sleep, in their feathers so warm, While my little chick lies here on my arm.

Mrs. Carter.

_How They Sleep_

Some things go to sleep in such a funny way: Little birds stand on one leg and tuck their heads away;

Chickens do the same, standing on their perch; Little mice lie soft and still as if they were in church;

Kittens curl up close in such a funny ball; Horses hang their sleepy heads and stand still in a stall;

Sometimes dogs stretch out, or curl up in a heap; Cows lie down upon their sides when they would go to sleep.

But little babies dear are snugly tucked in beds, Warm with blankets, all so soft, and pillows for their heads.

Bird and beast and babe--I wonder which of all Dream the dearest dreams that down from dreamland fall!

Unknown.

_Baby-Land_

Which is the way to Baby-Land?

Any one can tell; Up one flight, To your right; Please to ring the bell.

What can you see in Baby-Land?

Little folks in white, Downy heads, Cradle-beds, Faces pure and bright.

What do they do in Baby-Land?

Dream and wake and play, Laugh and crow, Shout and grow, Jolly times have they.

What do they say in Baby-Land?