Verse 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 Verse She sang to her darlings a sweet lullaby As the cool evening shadows grow long Angels and nightingales gather at night 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 Verse I heard it 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