Sleep with the Angels

Written March 13th, 2012
Keywords: Lullabye, Greif, Depression

[Schlaf mit den Engeln]
aka: “A Grown-Up Lullabye” or “The Deacon’s Compline”
—Dedicated to Jerry Danks

Story Behind the Song -

I wrote this song realizing that people all around this stressful world need peace tonight. And forgiveness. And comfort. While dealing with my depression one evening, my old friend Jerry Danks sent me a message which read: “Schlaf bei den Engeln” (Sleep with the Angels). A simple act, but it helped me have a good night’s sleep. And those words — that lovely wish — led me daily on the road to dealing with personal issues. Thanks, Bro. I pray that others may find peace from these lyrics.

Song Lyrics -

I sing for the lovers who wake up alone,
And the frightened who cry on the end of the phone.
To those who arise before dawning’s first light—
May you sleep with the angels tonight.

For all of the free souls behind cell doors and locks,
For others, whose address is an old cardboard box.
May you come from the shadows and walk into the light.
And May you sleep with the angels tonight.

I sing for the ones who never lived out their dreams.
And those who weren’t good enough to play on a team.
And God bless the holy, and the prayers you recite—
May you sleep with the angels tonight.

To champions of justice and the dragons you face,
And the nameless who’ve disappeared without any trace,
And the ones who believe the end is in sight,
May you sleep with the angels tonight...

I sing for the children in refugee tents,
And those who must choose between medicine and rent.
The ones with no mourners at their burial site,
May you sleep with the angels tonight.

To all of you hungry for your particular cause:
And those who look after the least, last and lost.
For the mother who hears of another gang fight,
May you sleep with the angels tonight.

For those who watch margins and losses and gains,
For the captains of ore boats and the switchmen on trains.
To the ones who fear dying from a small insect bite.
May you sleep with the angels tonight.

And to you who’ve offended with thought, word or deed,
Give way to the slumber that you that you need.
You still have tomorrow to make things all right:
May you sleep with the angels tonight...