A Mother's Song
Little ships of whitest pearl With sailors who were ancient kings, Come over the sea when my little girl Sings.
And if my little girl should weep, Little ships with torn sails Go headlong down among the deep Whales.
Francis Ledwidge
Little ships of whitest pearl With sailors who were ancient kings, Come over the sea when my little girl Sings.
And if my little girl should weep, Little ships with torn sails Go headlong down among the deep Whales.
In just a few short lines, the speaker turns a child’s emotions into a tiny ocean world. When the little girl sings, delicate pearl-white ships arrive, crewed by ancient kings—something rare, noble, and magical answering her happiness.
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