The sleep that flits on baby's eyes - lyrics

The sleep that flits on baby's eyes -

does anybody know from where it comes?

Yes, there is a rumour that it has its dwelling

where, in the fairy village among shadows of the forest dimly lit with glow-worms,

there hang two timid buds of enchantment.

From there it comes to kiss baby's eyes.

The smile that flickers on baby's lips when he sleeps -

does anybody know where it was born?

Yes, there is a rumour

that a young pale beam of a crescent moon touched

the edge of a vanishing autumn cloud,

and there the smile was first born

in the dream of a dew-washed morning -

the smile that flickers on baby's lips when he sleeps.

The sweet, soft freshness that blooms on baby's limbs -

does anybody know where it was hidden so long?

Yes, when the mother was a young girl it lay pervading her heart

in tender and silent mystery of love -

the sweet, soft freshness that has bloomed on baby's limbs.

• Artist:Rabindranath Tagore