Lay Down Your Tools My Darling

Lay down your tools my darling,
to pillow place your head.
The tiller’s light is fading,
go now, make down your bed.
Leave this night her violent ways
and kept outside your door.
Be you now in slumber child
and don't you toil no more.

These mud walls will stand the gales,
the thatch will bear the rain.
The homely warmth from embers
to comfort you again.
The harsh ills will strive against
the valour you have drawn.
But keep your sleep my darling,
your toils will do ’till dawn.

This night though not forever,
when comes the light of day.
That Sun, she’s a patient one,
will kindly wait her stay.
Hasten not the hours past,
wait out ’till comes the morn.
Stay there in your dreams awhile
and sleep away the storm.

The house mouse is at the crumbs,
the spider waits the fly.
The rooster pans horizons
through a half-opened eye.
Silence but your gentle breaths,
at ease in seamless bliss.
Take calm in your memories,
where dreamers reminisce.

You’ve mourned your loss, your lover,
those fevers never care.
They left you the lonely one
with no one you could share.
You’ve wept your heart to pieces,
be not from slumber riled.
No matter what, my darling,
so, sleep, my bleary child.

At peace in what surrounds you,
the night makes no demands.
The hopes that you had planted
were in the Maker’s hands.
You’ve made it but in sorrow,
you’ve been alone too long,
It’s been a long time coming,
but now, where you belong.

The sun has found your morning;
the rooster’s bound to know.
The artists of your portrait
in song as they bestow.
The wings that spirit angels
into the great unknown.
For heaven’s gates have opened;
no more you’ll be alone.