When Peter sleeps the dusk must die,

And all be still when he is still.

The night fall softly and the world be far away,

The wind go singing high

And soft in trees for Peter.

His breath comes deep

From a pillow cool with dreams

He has had. Over his eyes

And over his curly head

Stillness lies.

No harm must come to Peter,

Only peace to heart and lips

With night and the rising moon.

Rain must fall on the roof

With a long hum,

Til night is filled with the sound of sleepy rain,

And the cool dark softly come

Through the open door.

The moon must lift her glittering silver

Away from Peter's floor.

No star must shine, nor firefly light.

No dreams must trouble his closed eyes

Through all the night,

But rain still fall with quiet weeping,

And day must wait, must wait.

And come in slow to Peter sleeping.