A Samoa Sleepy-Song

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!