Listen now children a story I'll tell

Of a woman they called Anna Lee

She had a fine son and she raised him up well

And a daughter as lovely as she

I'll return to you dear in the dimming of day

As the sparrow returns to her nest

I'll return to you dreaming with each lullaby

Hold your sweet weary head to my breast

She sang to her darlings a sweet lullaby

As the cool evening shadows grow long

Angels and nightingales gathering nigh

Just to hear mother Anna Lee's song

I'll return to you dear in the dimming of day

As the sparrow returns to her nest

I'll return to you dreaming with each lullaby

Hold your sweet weary head to my breast

Early one morning she rode into town

To tend to her dear sister there

She kissed her two babies on cheek and on brow

And left them with nary a care

The wind it did rise and the rain it did fall

The river a shadowy wave

Anna Lee never heard danger's dark call

And was swept to her watery grave

I'll return to you dear in the dimming of day

As the sparrow returns to her nest

I'll return to you dreaming with each lullaby

Hold your sweet weary head to my breast