A SAMOA SLEEPY-SONG
Reading edition
LIE on your mat, little tama, and sleep; The pigeon has gone to its rest in the palm; I see the bright moon through the ifi trees peep, And the sleepy waves sing on the coral reef calm.
Sing to my tama, soft waves of the sea; Some day he’ll ride in his rocking canoe,— Ride on your laughing crests, happy and free, Joyous to roll on your rollicking blue.
Sleep, little tama, the bats flutter low, The breeze through the breadfruit-tree sighs to the star; And out on the water, with torches aglow, Your father and brother are fishing afar.
Tina will tuck the siapo around; Sleep, little chief, for the spirits are nigh! Fish-gods and wind-gods, and gods of the ground Watch my brown baby as round him they fly!
