Cradle Song by Alfred Tennyson (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

Cradle Song

by Alfred Tennyson

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

Cradle Song

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,

All through the night;

Guardian angels God will send thee,

All through the night;

Softest slumber, lightest motion,

All through the night,

Seas and skies, and hill and ocean,

All through the night.

 

Angels watching, e'er around thee,

All through the night,

Tenderest care shall come and bound thee,

All through the night;

If thou livest, ever in love's light

All through the night,

Angels watching, e'er around thee,

All through the night.

 

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,

All through the night;

Guardian angels God will send thee,

All through the night;

Softest slumber, lightest motion,

All through the night,

Seas and skies, and hill and ocean,

All through the night.

 

Summary

A parent gently rocks their child in a quiet room, whispering wishes of sleep and peace. Through the night, they promise, guardian angels will watch over the little one, surrounding the child with care and protection. The gentle rhythm of the night—soft slumbers, quiet motions, and the calm presence of seas, skies, hills, and oceans—becomes a lullaby itself, a comforting embrace from the world.

The parent assures the child that love and divine protection will always be near, cradling them through the darkness. Even as the night stretches on, tender care and the watchful eyes of angels continue to surround the sleeping child. The poem repeatedly circles this serene scene, emphasizing the constant, loving vigilance that guards the child’s rest, until the quiet rhythm of the night and the lullaby’s song carry the little one safely through until morning.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,

-> Sleep, my little one, and may peace be with you.

 

All through the night;

-> Throughout the entire night.

 

Guardian angels God will send thee,

-> God will send protective angels to watch over you.

 

All through the night;

-> They will stay with you all night long.

 

Softest slumber, lightest motion,

-> May your sleep be gentle and your movements calm.

 

All through the night,

-> And remain so throughout the night.

 

Seas and skies, and hill and ocean,

-> The entire world—oceans, skies, and hills—seems to cradle you.

 

All through the night.

-> Carrying you gently through the night.

 

Angels watching, e'er around thee,

-> Angels are always surrounding you, keeping watch.

 

All through the night,

-> They remain near you every moment of the night.

 

Tenderest care shall come and bound thee,

-> The kindest, gentlest care will protect and surround you.

 

All through the night;

-> And this protection will last all night long.

 

If thou livest, ever in love's light

-> As you grow, may your life always be filled with love.

 

All through the night,

-> Let this love guide you through the darkness.

 

Angels watching, e'er around thee,

-> Angels continue to encircle and guard you.

 

All through the night.

-> Their presence stays with you until morning.

 

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,

-> Rest, little one, and let peace be with you.

 

All through the night;

-> Throughout the entire night.

 

Guardian angels God will send thee,

-> God will send angels to keep you safe.

 

All through the night;

-> They will watch over you all night.

 

Softest slumber, lightest motion,

-> Sleep gently, move softly in your dreams.

 

All through the night,

-> And remain in peaceful rest all night long.

 

Seas and skies, and hill and ocean,

-> The world itself seems to cradle you—oceans, skies, and hills.

 

All through the night.

-> Carrying you safely through the night.

 

Analysis in Detail

Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Cradle Song” is a tender lullaby that captures the intimate bond between parent and child while weaving in spiritual and natural imagery. The poem is structured as a simple, repetitive song, yet its simplicity belies the depth of emotion and meaning embedded in its lines. At its core, the poem conveys themes of love, protection, divine guardianship, and the harmony of nature as it relates to human life.

The opening lines, “Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee, / All through the night,” immediately establish the poem’s soothing tone. The parent’s voice is gentle, commanding no attention but offering comfort, which reflects the archetypal role of a caregiver in creating a safe emotional space. The repetition of “All through the night” throughout the poem not only reinforces the lullaby’s rhythmic cadence but also emphasizes constancy—the unwavering presence of love and protection. This repetition mirrors the repetitive patterns found in many traditional lullabies, enhancing its musicality and making it psychologically reassuring to the child.

The poem introduces a spiritual dimension through the lines, “Guardian angels God will send thee, / All through the night.” Here, Tennyson integrates the Christian motif of divine guardianship. The idea that angels watch over the child suggests a protection that transcends the physical world, implying that the child is enveloped in both human and divine care. The presence of angels underscores the spiritual security that parents wish to impart to their children, reflecting a hope that the child will be guided and safeguarded even beyond the immediate physical environment of the home.

Nature imagery is another significant element in “Cradle Song.” Phrases like “Seas and skies, and hill and ocean” evoke the grandeur and serenity of the natural world. Tennyson’s choice to include such expansive elements conveys a sense of cosmic order and peace, suggesting that the child’s rest is part of a larger, harmonious universe. Nature in this context is not merely a backdrop; it becomes an active participant in the act of nurturing. By connecting the child’s sleep to the calmness of the natural world, Tennyson implies that human life, especially in its most innocent stages, is inextricably linked to the rhythms and beauty of nature.

The repeated emphasis on “tenderest care” and angels “watching e’er around thee” highlights a dual layer of security: the tangible, parental care and the intangible, divine protection. Tennyson’s language here is gentle yet pervasive, suggesting that care is not fleeting but constant. This duality enriches the poem, allowing it to resonate with both the emotional and spiritual concerns of the parent, and by extension, the reader. The lullaby becomes a symbolic space where human affection and divine oversight intersect, offering comfort that is both immediate and transcendent.

Finally, Tennyson’s use of musicality—through rhythm, repetition, and soft consonants—reinforces the lullaby’s soothing qualities. The consistent “All through the night” refrain acts like a heartbeat, steady and reassuring, while the assonance and gentle alliteration throughout the poem contribute to a sense of calm. The poem’s form, then, mirrors its content: the rhythm of the verse reflects the peaceful rhythm of sleep and the gentle, continuous care the child receives.

In conclusion, “Cradle Song” is a masterful expression of parental love, spiritual guardianship, and the serene harmony of nature. Through its repetitive structure, gentle rhythm, and evocative imagery, the poem evokes both comfort and security. Tennyson’s blend of human tenderness with divine and natural elements elevates a simple lullaby into a poetic meditation on care, protection, and the intimate connection between a child, their caregiver, and the wider world. It is both a song of rest and a quiet affirmation of the enduring power of love and guardianship, making it timeless in its appeal.