"Backward! Turn backward, O Time, in thy flight!
And make me a child again, just for tonight"
Every Christmas Eve, the local paper in my hometown [Springfield {OH} News&Sun] would print "The Night Before Christmas" on the backpage. It had printed the same page every year since the page was designed in 1939. There was a big drawing of Santa, with elves and reindeer around the border of the page.
Anyway, I always loved that quote which appeared at the bottom of the page. Now I really know what it means!
Merry Christmas to all my fellow "children" [just for tonight]
2007-12-24 15:03:38 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I know it well, by Elizabeth Akers Allen. But it's not a poem about Christmas, although I remember the beginning just as you do and for the very same reason.
BACKWARD, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again just for to-night!
Mother, come back from the echoless shore,
Take me again to your heart as of yore;
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!
Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years!
I am so weary of toil and of tears,—
Toil without recompense, tears all in vain,—
Take them, and give me my childhood again!
I have grown weary of dust and decay,—
Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away;
Weary of sowing for others to reap;—
Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!
Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue,
Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you!
Many a summer the grass has grown green,
Blossomed and faded, our faces between:
Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain,
Long I to-night for your presence again.
Come from the silence so long and so deep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!
Over my heart, in the days that are flown,
No love like mother-love ever has shone;
No other worship abides and endures,—
Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours:
None like a mother can charm away pain
From the sick soul and the world-weary brain.
Slumber's soft calms o'er my heavy lids creep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!
Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold,
Fall on your shoulders again as of old;
Let it drop over my forehead to-night,
Shading my faint eyes away from the light;
For with its sunny-edged shadows once more
Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore;
Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!
Mother, dear mother, the years have been long
Since I last listened your lullaby song:
Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem
Womanhood's years have been only a dream.
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,
With your light lashes just sweeping my face,
Never hereafter to wake or to weep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother,—rock me to sleep!
2007-12-24 15:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Oops, didn't see it had already been posted1!!
It's an old time Song, remember it from a songbook my grandmother had.
Rock Me to Sleep, Mother
Backward, turn backward, O Time in thy flight
Make me a child again, just for tonight
Mother, come back from the echo less shore
Take me again to your heart as of yore.
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair
Over my slumber your loving watch keep, ---
Rock me to sleep, mother, rock me to sleep
Over my heart in days that are flown
No love like mother love ever was shown
No other worship abides and endures
Faithful unselfish and patient like yours
None like a mother can charm away pain
From the sick soul and the world weary brain
Slumber soft love ore my heavy lids creep
Rock me to sleep mother rock me to sleep
Mother dear mother the years have been long
Since I last hushed to your lullaby song
Sing them and unto my sole it shall seep
Womanhood’s years have been only a dream
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace
With your light lashes just sweeping my face
Never here after to wake or to weep
Rock me to sleep mother rock me to sleep
2007-12-25 06:34:02 · answer #2 · answered by dasupr 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't remember, but I agree....make me a child again just for tonight. Those were definitely the good ol days waiting on Santa to come. Happy Holidays!
2007-12-25 05:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by Harley Lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're reaching maturity. A new level! Welcome! Merry Christnsa and Happy Holidays!
Even Moms, Dads Grandparents & Guardians are enjoying setting up and playing with new toys first.
How many Dad's do you think have Rc boats, planes, helicopters etc. under the tre..
In my 50's and still ssugar plum s permeated my dreams this night.
2007-12-24 23:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by Southern Comfort 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would be wonderful to return, once again, to the special days of our childhoods......If even for the night......to once again experience the magic of Christmas as we did then, and with all our parents, and siblings, there with us again....Thank you for sharing, and Merry Christmas....
2007-12-24 23:12:08 · answer #5 · answered by Pullet Surprise 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not remember that but I like it. I know what it means too. Merry Christmas to you too.
2007-12-25 13:39:04 · answer #6 · answered by Going Crazy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a lovely song! Years ago, I got a book of all the songs in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books with the music to them. that one is in there, and it's so sentimental!
2007-12-24 23:15:17 · answer #7 · answered by Snow Globe 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Never heard it and I'm older than Jane Fonda. Baba Yaga this is twice you have hit the bulls eye, keep it up.....
2007-12-25 01:02:37 · answer #8 · answered by Fauna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tradition is great, especially at Christmas.
2007-12-24 23:10:28 · answer #9 · answered by DR W 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Best of Christmas to you,young Reaper laddie,may you always be a boy in your heart!
2007-12-25 03:49:14 · answer #10 · answered by Barbara D 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is beautiful, thank you and Baba Yaba.
Merry Christmas to all.
2007-12-24 23:39:17 · answer #11 · answered by ncgirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋