ORKNEY LULLABY by Eugene Field: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
A moonbeam, a brownie, and a night wind take turns promising to watch over a sleeping child, wrapping light, song, and a sailor's prayer around the little one's bed.
The poem
A moonbeam floateth from the skies, Whispering, "Heigho, my dearie! I would spin a web before your eyes,-- A beautiful web of silver light, Wherein is many a wondrous sight Of a radiant garden leagues away, Where the softly tinkling lilies sway, And the snow-white lambkins are at play,-- Heigho, my dearie!" A brownie stealeth from the vine Singing, "Heigho, my dearie! And will you hear this song of mine,-- A song of the land of murk and mist Where bideth the bud the dew hath kist? Then let the moonbeam's web of light Be spun before thee silvery white, And I shall sing the livelong night,-- Heigho, my dearie!" The night wind speedeth from the sea, Murmuring, "Heigho, my dearie! I bring a mariner's prayer for thee; So let the moonbeam veil thine eyes, And the brownie sing thee lullabies; But I shall rock thee to and fro, Kissing the brow _he_ loveth so, And the prayer shall guard thy bed, I trow,-- Heigho, my dearie!"
A moonbeam, a brownie, and a night wind take turns promising to watch over a sleeping child, wrapping light, song, and a sailor's prayer around the little one's bed. It’s a lullaby sung by three voices, each adding a unique layer of comfort. By the end, the child is enveloped in magic, music, and the love of someone far away at sea.
Line-by-line
A moonbeam floateth from the skies, / Whispering, "Heigho, my dearie!
A brownie stealeth from the vine / Singing, "Heigho, my dearie!
The night wind speedeth from the sea, / Murmuring, "Heigho, my dearie!
Tone & mood
The tone is soft, tender, and gently magical throughout. Field maintains a whispering quality — the moonbeam glides, the brownie sneaks, the wind whispers. The repeated refrain "Heigho, my dearie!" creates a soothing rhythm, lulling the reader just as it lulls the child. In the final stanza, there's a subtle hint of longing as the absent mariner's love comes through the wind, but it doesn't become sad. The overall impression is one of warmth and safety.
Symbols & metaphors
- The moonbeam's web of silver light — The web represents the very essence of dreams—sleep wrapping around the child like a beautiful, protective cocoon. Silver light is often linked to the moon, creativity, and the thin line that separates waking from dreaming.
- The brownie — In Orkney and Scottish folklore, brownies are friendly household spirits that assist and safeguard families during the night. In this context, the brownie symbolizes the kind, watchful magic of nature, suggesting that invisible forces are there to protect children as they sleep.
- The mariner's prayer — The prayer carried by the wind is the most human symbol in the poem. It represents parental love that can't be physically there — a sailor’s devotion crossing the sea to reach his child. This transforms the lullaby from a fairy tale into something tangible and emotionally resonant.
- The night wind from the sea — The wind acts as a messenger and a substitute for the child's absent father. It gently rocks the child as the father would, kisses his beloved brow, and carries his prayer. The sea, from which the wind originates, represents both the sailor's familiar world and the vast unknown that keeps him away from home.
- White lambkins — The snow-white lambs frolicking in the moonbeam's dream garden evoke a timeless sense of innocence and tranquil slumber. They suggest that the dream world awaiting the child is completely safe and soothing.
Historical context
Eugene Field was an American journalist and poet active in the late 19th century, best known for his children's poems like "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod." He was heavily influenced by folk traditions from the British Isles, and "Orkney Lullaby" showcases his fascination with Celtic and Norse folklore. The Orkney Islands, located off the northern tip of Scotland, have a rich tradition of fairy lore, featuring characters like brownies and sea spirits. This poem came out during a time when sentimental verse for children was hugely popular in American newspapers and gift books. As a devoted father, Field infused his children's poetry with a genuine warmth that often lies beneath the fairy-tale surface. The maritime imagery in the final stanza connects the poem to the real world of Orkney, where fishing and seafaring were central to daily life, and where families commonly prayed for sailors out at sea.
FAQ
A brownie is a small fairy or household spirit from Scottish and Orkney folklore. These creatures were believed to emerge at night to assist families and watch over children. Field portrays the brownie as a friendly, musical guardian of the night, steering clear of any frightening connotations.
The mariner is likely the child's father — a sailor out at sea. The night wind carries his prayer back to the child's bedside, serving as a messenger between them. This is the emotional core of the poem: the father may not be present, but his love makes its way home.
"Trow" is an old term still found in the Orkney dialect, meaning to believe or trust. "I trow" translates to "I believe" or "I am sure." Field uses this word to infuse the poem with a genuine Orkney character and to convey a sense of quiet certainty regarding the wind's promise.
The Orkney Islands, a Scottish archipelago, are rich in Norse and Celtic folklore, featuring tales of brownies and sea spirits. The scene—a child by the sea, a mariner father, and fairy visitors at night—reflects the local cultural landscape. Field, despite being American, was captivated by this unique regional folk atmosphere.
The poem consists of three stanzas, each with nine lines. Every stanza has a similar structure: a supernatural visitor appears, greets with "Heigho, my dearie!", shares its gift, and concludes with the refrain. This repetition captures the soothing rhythm of a real lullaby.
The moonbeam carries a dream — a silver web filled with enchanting visions. The brownie offers a song to fill the night air. The night wind brings a sailor's prayer along with the soothing comfort of gentle rocking and a kiss. Together, they weave imagination, music, and love.
It's mostly peaceful and tender, yet there's a subtle sadness beneath the final stanza. The father is missing — out at sea — and his love can only touch the child through the wind that carries his prayer. Field maintains a gentle tone instead of a mournful one, but the longing feels authentic.
Like "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod," this poem features a trio of enchanting characters and a soothing, repetitive rhythm that helps lull a child to sleep. Both poems mix fairy-tale imagery with heartfelt parental affection. "Orkney Lullaby" is a bit more connected to a particular folk tradition and conveys a deeper sense of adult yearning.