Lute-book Lullaby
Apollo5 Lyrics

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Sweet was the song the Virgin sang,
when she to Bethlem Judah came
and was deliver'd of a son,
that blessed Jesus hath to name:
Lula, lula, lula, lullaby,
lula, lula, lula, lullaby.

Sweet babe, sang she, my son, and eke a Saviour born,

who hast vouchsafed from on high
to visit us that were forlorn:
Lalula, lalula, lalullaby.

Sweet babe, sang she,
and rock'd him sweetly on her knee.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Lute-book Lullaby" by Apollo5 describe the scene of the Virgin Mary arriving in Bethlehem and giving birth to Jesus. The singer recounts the sweetness of the song that Mary sang upon the birth of her son, Jesus, who is referred to as the blessed Savior. The repetition of "lula, lullaby" in the first verse creates a soothing and comforting atmosphere, reflecting the tenderness and care of a mother towards her newborn child. The imagery painted in these lines captures the peaceful and sacred moment of Jesus' birth.

In the second verse, Mary sings to her infant son, emphasizing that he is not only a baby but also a savior who has come down from heaven to bring hope and salvation to those who were lost and in need. The repetitive nature of "lalula, lalullaby" reinforces the lullaby-like quality of the song, as if Mary is gently rocking her baby to sleep while imparting her love and devotion to him. The lyrics convey a sense of reverence and awe towards the miraculous birth and mission of Jesus, highlighting the significance of his arrival in the world.

The mention of Mary rocking Jesus sweetly on her knee symbolizes the tender care and nurturing relationship between a mother and her child. The act of rocking a baby to sleep is a universal expression of love and protection, and in this case, it also signifies Mary's acceptance of her divine role as the mother of the Savior. The imagery of this intimate moment between Mary and Jesus creates a touching and intimate portrait of the bond between mother and child, underscoring the humanity and vulnerability of Jesus despite his divine nature.

Overall, "Lute-book Lullaby" captures the warmth, love, and devotion that Mary showers upon her newborn son, Jesus, as she sings to him a sweet lullaby. The lyrics evoke a sense of peace, reverence, and wonder at the miraculous event of Jesus' birth, portraying Mary as a loving and nurturing mother who is humbled by the presence of her divine child. Through its gentle and melodic verses, the song conveys a message of hope, redemption, and the enduring power of a mother's love, encapsulating the timeless story of Christmas and the birth of Christ.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweet was the song the Virgin sang,
The song the Virgin Mary sang was filled with love and joy.

when she to Bethlem Judah came
When she arrived in Bethlehem, Judah,

and was deliver'd of a son,
and gave birth to a son,

that blessed Jesus hath to name:
who was named the blessed Jesus:

Lula, lula, lula, lullaby,
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby,

lula, lula, lula, lullaby.
lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby.

Sweet babe, sang she, my son, and eke a Saviour born,
She sang to her precious baby, who was not only her son but also a Savior born into this world,

who hast vouchsafed from on high
who has graciously descended from heaven

to visit us that were forlorn:
to come and bring comfort to those who were abandoned and lost:

Lalula, lalula, lalullaby.
Sing lullaby, lullaby, lullaby.

Sweet babe, sang she,
She sang to her sweet baby,