Care-charming sleep
Robert Johnson Lyrics


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Care-charming Sleep, thou easer of all woes,
Brother to Death, sweetly thyself dispose
On this afflicted prince; fall like a cloud
In gentle showers; give nothing that is loud
Or painful to his slumbers; easy, sweet,
And as a purling stream, thou son of Night,
Pass by his troubled senses; sing his pain,
Like hollow murmuring wind or silver rain;
Into this prince gently, oh gently slide,




And kiss him into slumbers like a bride.

Overall Meaning

In Robert Johnson's song "Care-charming Sleep," the lyrics are a plea to sleep to come and relieve the pain of an afflicted prince. The singer first addresses sleep, calling it an easer of all woes, a brother to death. The singer hopes that sleep will fall gently on the prince like a cloud, like gentle showers that won't disturb his slumber. The goal is to provide ease and comfort, without any loud or painful interruptions to his rest. The singer suggests that sleep pass by the prince's senses like a purling stream, singing his pain away with the sound of murmuring wind or silver rain. The ultimate goal is for sleep to gently take the prince into its arms and kiss him into slumber like a bride.


The song "Care-charming Sleep" was a popular tune in the Renaissance period and has been adapted to various musical arrangements. Johnson's version is a bluesy interpretation of the song, which was originally a poem entitled "An Epithalamium" by Thomas Randolph. It is said that the lyrics were inspired by a love affair between Randolph and his mistress, who was suffering from an illness.


Line by Line Meaning

Care-charming Sleep, thou easer of all woes,
Oh, enchanting Sleep, you who relieve all sorrows,


Brother to Death, sweetly thyself dispose
You who are like Death, calmly take control of yourself


On this afflicted prince; fall like a cloud
Come down like a cloud upon this troubled prince


In gentle showers; give nothing that is loud
Softly release your powers, without being harsh


Or painful to his slumbers; easy, sweet,
Let your touch not disturb his sleep, be gentle and kind


And as a purling stream, thou son of Night,
Flow like a peaceful stream, you who are born of the night


Pass by his troubled senses; sing his pain,
Caress his troubled mind, and soothe his discomfort


Like hollow murmuring wind or silver rain;
Just like the sound of wind or rain, soft and soothing


Into this prince gently, oh gently slide,
Sneak into his consciousness, slowly and quietly


And kiss him into slumbers like a bride.
Lull him into peaceful sleep, like a tender kiss to a bride




Writer(s): Robert Johnson, Anthony Rooley

Contributed by Aiden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

naomelito

Beautiful  :D

naomelito

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naomelito

***** se algunas cosas. ahora , retirate de aqui y no vuelvas! 

naomelito

Rusell el pirata callate!

naomelito

Rusell el pirata obedece!

naomelito

Rusell el pirata idiota

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