Lullaby of Fire and Frost

Icelandic folk ballad in 6/8, D Dorian with a low D drone, Haunting but warm; fingerpicked acoustic guitar, airy two-part vocals, subtle stomp/clap, wide reverb, Lyrics evoke moss-covered lava fields, black-sand shores, hot springs steam, fog, waterfalls, and northern lights; singable chant-like chorus (“moss and wind”)

Chorus
Hush-a-by, hush-a-low,
north-lights fade and fall;
hidden footsteps in the snow
won’t come when you call.
Close your eyes, let sorrow go—
let it drift, let it fly;
I will keep the fire below
so you can sleep tonight.

Verse 2
I left a crumb, I left a cup,
by stone that doesn’t speak,
for those who live in hill and hush
with lanterns pale and meek.
They take no child, they take no love—
they only trade in care;
so do no harm, and you may move
like mist through braided air.

Verse 3
The trolls are only lonely stone
when morning finds their face;
at night they sit where cold has grown
and listen for their place.
If you should hear the highland creak,
the glacier’s brittle sigh—
it’s old bones settling in their sleep,
not anything to fear.

Verse 4
Thirteen shadows, soft of shoe,
pass lightly by the eaves;
the Yule-lads bring a bruise of blue
to where the lamplight grieves.
They steal a laugh, they steal a tear,
then leave you something small—
a wooden wish, a quiet year,
a mercy in the fall.

Bridge
And if the sea begins to sing
its salt and aching hymn,
remember: waves forget the sting—
they carry, then they dim.
The sagas say the world will break,
then bloom from ash and snow;
so let your little sorrow ache,
and let it soften—slow.

Final Chorus
Hush-a-by, hush-a-low,
north-lights fade and fall;
hidden footsteps in the snow
won’t come when you call.
Close your eyes, let sorrow go—
let it drift, let it fly;
I will keep the fire below
so you can sleep tonight.

Hush-a-by, hush-a-low,
north-lights fade and fall;
hidden footsteps in the snow
won’t come when you call.
Close your eyes, let sorrow go—
let it drift, let it fly;
I will keep the fire below
so you can sleep tonight.

Outro (whispered)
Sleep now, little heart of mine—
the storm has let you be;
I’ll watch the dark, you keep the light
that waits inside of me.

2336/7500

Verse 1 Sleep now, little heart of mine, the wind has shut the door; the mountains hold their shadow-line across the midnight shore. The lava under moss and peat keeps dreams the daylight lost— so rest where hush and heartbeat meet between the frost and frost. Chorus Hush-a-by, hush-a-low, north-lights fade and fall; hidden footsteps in the snow won’t come when you call. Close your eyes, let sorrow go— let it drift, let it fly; I will keep the fire below so you can sleep tonight. Verse 2 I left a crumb, I left a cup, by stone that doesn’t speak, for those who live in hill and hush with lanterns pale and meek. They take no child, they take no love— they only trade in care; so do no harm, and you may move like mist through braided air. Chorus Hush-a-by, hush-a-low, north-lights fade and fall; hidden footsteps in the snow won’t come when you call. Close your eyes, let sorrow go— let it drift, let it fly; I will keep the fire below so you can sleep tonight. Verse 3 The trolls are only lonely stone when morning finds their face; at night they sit where cold has grown and listen for their place. If you should hear the highland creak, the glacier’s brittle sigh— it’s old bones settling in their sleep, not anything to fear. Verse 4 Thirteen shadows, soft of shoe, pass lightly by the eaves; the Yule-lads bring a bruise of blue to where the lamplight grieves. They steal a laugh, they steal a tear, then leave you something small— a wooden wish, a quiet year, a mercy in the fall. Bridge And if the sea begins to sing its salt and aching hymn, remember: waves forget the sting— they carry, then they dim. The sagas say the world will break, then bloom from ash and snow; so let your little sorrow ache, and let it soften—slow. Final Chorus Hush-a-by, hush-a-low, north-lights fade and fall; hidden footsteps in the snow won’t come when you call. Close your eyes, let sorrow go— let it drift, let it fly; I will keep the fire below so you can sleep tonight. Hush-a-by, hush-a-low, north-lights fade and fall; hidden footsteps in the snow won’t come when you call. Close your eyes, let sorrow go— let it drift, let it fly; I will keep the fire below so you can sleep tonight. Outro (whispered) Sleep now, little heart of mine— the storm has let you be; I’ll watch the dark, you keep the light that waits inside of me.

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