Mama, Don't Close Your Eyes

Lyrics

[Intro] Hey, hey—hold fast The winter's at the gate [Verse 1] Salt on your coat, frost in your hair You carried us through the black-water air I heard the oars bite, I heard the rope strain You pulled us home through sleet and rain [Pre-Chorus] Now lay your tired hands down by the fire The night can wait, you’ve climbed no higher [Chorus] Mama, don’t close your eyes Stay till the first birds rise I’ll keep the door, I’ll keep the flame Call through the dark, I’ll answer your name Mama, don’t close your eyes Rest while the cold wind cries You held the world when the waves ran wild Now let me watch over you awhile [Verse 2] Your old iron ring on the table by the bread A braid of river reeds beside your bed You taught me which path keeps clear of the fen And how to stand when the storm comes again [Pre-Chorus] So lay your tired hands down by the fire The night can wait, you’ve climbed no higher [Chorus] Mama, don’t close your eyes Stay till the first birds rise I’ll keep the door, I’ll keep the flame Call through the dark, I’ll answer your name Mama, don’t close your eyes Rest while the cold wind cries You held the world when the waves ran wild Now let me watch over you awhile [Bridge] If dawn comes late, we’ll wait as one If ravens call, I’ll face the sun Your voice is sewn into my name Your hands made shelter from the rain [Final Chorus] Mama, don’t close your eyes Stay till the first birds rise I’ll keep the door, I’ll keep the flame Call through the dark, I’ll answer your name Mama, don’t close your eyes Rest while the cold wind cries You held the world when the waves ran wild Now let me watch over you awhile [Outro] Lay your hands down by the fire I’ll keep watch till morning comes