Songs for Parents: Water-Lily

I'd like to be a water-lily sleeping on the river, Where solemn rushes whisper, and funny ripples quiver. All day I'd watch the blue sky -- all night I'd watch the black, Floating in the soft waves, dreaming on my back, And when I'd tired of dreaming, I'd call a passing fish, "I want to find the sea!" I'd shout, "Come! You can grant my wish!"

He'd bite me from my moorings, and softly I would slip To the center of the river like an ocean-going ship. The waves would laugh upon me. The wind would blow me fast, And oh, what shores and wonders would greet me as I passed! Yes, if I were a water-lily, I'd sail to sea in state -- A green frog for my captain -- and a dragon-fly for mate!