The Poetry Corner

The Shut-Eye Train

By Eugene Field

Come, my little one, with me! There are wondrous sights to see As the evening shadows fall; In your pretty cap and gown, Don't detain The Shut-Eye train - "Ting-a-ling!" the bell it goeth, "Toot-toot!" the whistle bloweth, And we hear the warning call: "All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!" Over hill and over plain Soon will speed the Shut-Eye train! Through the blue where bloom the stars And the Mother Moon looks down We'll away To land of Fay - Oh, the sights that we shall see there! Come, my little one, with me there - 'T is a goodly train of cars - All aboard for Shut-Eye Town! Swifter than a wild bird's flight, Through the realms of fleecy light We shall speed and speed away! Let the Night in envy frown - What care we How wroth she be! To the Balow-land above us, To the Balow-folk who love us, Let us hasten while we may - All aboard for Shut-Eye Town! Shut-Eye Town is passing fair - Golden dreams await us there; We shall dream those dreams, my dear, Till the Mother Moon goes down - See unfold Delights untold! And in those mysterious places We shall see beloved faces And beloved voices hear In the grace of Shut-Eye Town. Heavy are your eyes, my sweet, Weary are your little feet - Nestle closer up to me In your pretty cap and gown; Don't detain The Shut-Eye train! "Ting-a-ling!" the bell it goeth, "Toot-toot!" the whistle bloweth Oh, the sights that we shall see! All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!