Suliram

Go to sleep
Go to sleep, sleep, sleep
Go to sleep, little one
Close your eyes and dream tender dreams
For you are guarded, protected by my love

Long have I waited, I've waited for you
Go to sleep
Years I spent hoping and praying for you
Go to sleep
Now that I have you right here by my side
I will not ever, no never let you go

Miriam Makeba recorded 'Suliram' after hearing it from Malay/Indonesian descendants of slaves brought to Africa by the Dutch several hundred years ago. Pete Seeger learned the same song in 1949 from a young Indonesian who was passing through New York. Seeger performed it regularly at concerts in the 1950s and 1960s. Many lullabies have been written in English to this melody; but as Seeger said, "Some things you just can't possibly translate."