All Through the Night Hymn is a lullaby written in the English Language. The version of the lullaby mentioned here was written in 1884, by Sir Harold Boulton.
The melody of this lullaby is based on a Welsh Song (Folk Song) called Ar Hyd Nos, which translates to all through the night in the English Language. The song Ar Hyd Nos is highly popular with Welsh male voice choirs. Though over the years there have been many variations of the song with many variations in the lyrics. One of the most popular is mentioned here. Also, read Rock A Bye Baby Song.
All Through The Night Hymn
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Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones’ watch am keeping,
All through the night
Angels watching, e’er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones’ watch am keeping,
All through the night.
Summary:
This song follows the singer. The singer here is singing to their infant child. And so, the singer prays that the child may have a peaceful sleep throughout the night. The singer sings that the guardian angels up in the heaven, are keeping watch on the little child. By this, the singer means to soothe the child. The next lines that are sung speak of valleys sleeping and the hours that follow are going to make the child fall deep into sleep.
In the next stanza, the singer tells the child that the angels will always be looking after the child, all through the night. The midnight would bring the child closer to a deeper sleep, a more peaceful sleep. Again the singer repeats the lines about the sleeping valleys and sleepy hours that will follow. The last two lines, that conclude the song, the singer tells the infant that the singer will be there, always watching the child. These lines, show that the singer wants the child to know that it can sleep peacefully, as the singer will be there to look after the child all through the night. You may also like to read, Silent Night Song.