Now that it's time to sleep,
sleep, sleep
sleep, sleep son and don't cry;
for the time will come soon enough
when crying is needed.

O my dearest, my heart:
lullaby and sleep now

Close, close those divine eyes
as other babies do;
for soon a dark veil
will deprive the sky of light.

O my dearest,
O my dearest, my heart:
lullaby and sleep now

Rest now your beautiful small limbs,
so charming and delicate;
for later, irons and chains
will cause them bitter pains.

O my dearest, my heart:
lullaby and sleep now

These hands and feet,
which now you behold with zest and joy
alas, in how many ways
will sharp nails,
sharp nails pierce them, pierce them!

This graceful face,
ruddier than a rose
spitting and slaps will defile it
with torture and great suffering.

Ah, with how much pain for you,
O only hope of my heart,
this head and this brow
will be pierced by sharp thorns.

For in this divine breast,
O my sweet and delightful love,
an impious traitorous spear
will make a mortal wound.

Sleep, therefore, my son,
sleep, sleep,
sleep, sleep,
sleep, sleep,
for later, my Savior;
for later with joyful faces
we'll see each other in Paradise.

Now that you are sleeping, O my life,
O complete joy of my heart,
let all be quiet with pure zeal,
even the earth and the heavens.

Meanwhile, what shall I do?
I will watch my dear,
not letting my head bow
as long as my baby sleeps.