Read "Little Boatie" by Henry van Dyke online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
A Slumber-Song for the Fisherman's Child / Furl your sail, my little boatie; / Here's the haven still and deep, / Where the dreaming tides in-streaming / Up the channel creep.
Now the sunset breeze is dying; / Hear the plover, landward flying, / Softly down the twilight crying; / Come to anchor, little boatie, / In the port of Sleep.
Far away, my little boatie, / Roaring waves are white with foam; / Ships are striving, onward driving, / Day and night they roam.
Father's at the deep-sea trawling, / In the darkness, rowing, hauling, / While the hungry winds are calling --
God protect him, little boatie, / Bring him safely home!
Not for you, my little boatie, / Is the wide and weary sea; / You're too slender, and too tender, / You must bide with me.
All day long you have been straying / Up and down the shore and playing; / Come to harbour, no delaying!
Day is over, little boatie, / Night falls suddenly.
Furl your sail, my little boatie, / Fold your wings, my weary dove.
Dews are sprinkling, stars are twinkling / Drowsily above.
Cease from sailing, cease from rowing; / Rock upon the dream-tide, knowing / Safely o'er your rest are glowing, / All the night, my little boatie, / Harbour-lights of love.
1897.