Author: Eugene Field

---

    I hear Thy voice, dear Lord;
    I hear it by the stormy sea
    When winter nights are black and wild,
    And when, affright, I call to Thee;
    It calms my fears and whispers me,
    "Sleep well, my child."

    I hear Thy voice, dear Lord,
    In singing winds, in falling snow,
    The curfew chimes, the midnight bell.
    "Sleep well, my child," it murmurs low;
    "The guardian angels come and go,--
    O child, sleep well!"

    I hear Thy voice, dear Lord,
    Ay, though the singing winds be stilled,
    Though hushed the tumult of the deep,
    My fainting heart with anguish chilled
    By Thy assuring tone is thrilled,--
    "Fear not, and sleep!"

    Speak on--speak on, dear Lord!
    And when the last dread night is near,
    With doubts and fears and terrors wild,
    Oh, let my soul expiring hear
    Only these words of heavenly cheer,
    "Sleep well, my child!"

---

Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a beautiful expression of divine comfort and faith in times of distress. The recurring theme is the speaker's hearing of a divine voice, presumably of the Lord, during challenging times—whether it be stormy winter nights or under the weight of personal anguish. This voice consistently offers consolation, often articulated through the repeated phrase, "Sleep well, my child," which doubles as both a soothing refrain and an embodiment of the poem's central theme of divine reassurance.

The poem's structure is carefully organized into four stanzas, each beginning with the line "I hear Thy voice, dear Lord," which emphasises the poet's reliance on the divine for comfort and guidance. The tone of the poem is one of humility, reverence, and sincere devotion, painting a picture of a speaker grappling with fears and uncertainties, yet finding solace in their faith.

The poet's use of nature as a conduit for divine communication—the stormy sea, singing winds, falling snow—adds an element of Romanticism to the poem. These natural elements, often associated with chaos or tranquility, serve to mirror the speaker's internal emotional state. The final stanza introduces the theme of mortality, indicating the speaker's desire for divine comfort even in their final moments. The seamless blend of faith, nature, and emotion throughout the poem results in a poignant exploration of comfort and reassurance found through spiritual connection.