Eleanor Henderson

Sleep, Little Baby

Sung to a mournful tune

Sleep little baby, go to sleep;
Fussy little baby, go to sleep.
The Mill, it closed, Daddy he gone –
Mama took a pill and she asleep.

You such a pretty baby, rosy and sweet;
You got bright little eyes and soft honey hair.
Howcome everybody leave you all alone?
Maybe I could get you and nobody care.

Cold little baby go to sleep, sleep.
Hungry little baby, go to sleep.
Your tummy is empty and your diaper is full.
Ain’t nobody here, so go to sleep.

Dream of blanket soft and warm.
Dream of a sweet melody.
Dream of a tummy full of milk
But better not dream of me.

My name is Desperation.
My name is Futility,
Once I wrap my arms around you,
You will never never ever be rid of me.

I got your heart in my left hand,
I got your lungs in my right.
Gonna squeeze and squeeze, you pretty little baby,
Until there ain't no more fight.

I got your daddy and I got your mama.
If I get you, that makes three.
Mama love her pill more than she love you.
An' I love a pretty baby inside of me.

So sleep little baby, maybe dream.
Dream of eternity.
Dream of angels, dream of song.
But baby don’t dream of me.

Maybe Aunt Sally and Nana come around –
Maybe Uncle Jordan too.
They love your funny nose and your funny little toes.
They love all of that funny little you.

Lady Fortune, she fickle,
And sometimes turn on me.
She give a tender baby then take it back,
Why she want to do this to me?

Sun coming out, Mama waking up,
Somebody knocking at the door.
I can't, won't, evr'ybody say don't . . .
I won’t come around no more.
You such a pretty baby,
And I can’t come around no more.

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