Introduction : The "Cradle song " of Sarojini Naidu is a lullaby, a sort of song which is sung to a child so that the melody, tune and rhythm of the song make the child sleep. It is usually sung by mother or other nearest person who is very intimate and close to the child. A lullaby is generally composed on the familiar natural atmosphere where the 'Flora' plays a vital role. Sometimes a lullaby centers round the fear provoking elements and agents like rubber , ghost or supernatural atmosphere. However, a lullaby is a very powerful instrument that has immense impact on the child. Though the songs are composed for comforting the children, these are of much literary values and these songs have made a prestigious place in the arena of literature.
Stanza - 1
From groves of spice,
O'er fields of rice,
Athwart the lotus-stream,
I bring for you,
A glint with dew
A little lovely dream.
Summary : The lullaby is about a beautiful dream that the child will have before sleeping. It is not an ordinary dream and it will be enriched with different sweet smell and bright colours. The mother says that she will bring different lovely things from different fields which are enriched and decorated by Nature. The mother will, as if, fly over the rice field, will cross the streams full of beautiful lotus and will reach the groves of spices (most probably cardamom and cinnamon) to fetch the sweet fragrance for the dream of the child. The lovely dream will shine with due drops.
Stanza - 2
Sweet , shut your eyes,
The wild fire-flies
Dance through the fairy neem ;
From the poppy-bole
For you I stole
A little lovely dream.
Summary : In this stanza we find another type of dream and it will be brought from the familiar neem tree which the child has probably seen. This tree is the abode of fairies and numberless of 'fire-flies' or glow-worms have been dancing around the neem tree throughout the night. The sweetheart is said to close his/her eyes and to perceive the dream land. The mother will bring a dream from the poppy bole which has sleep inducing property.
Stanza - 3
Dear eyes, good-night,
In golden light
The stars around you gleam ;
On you I press
With soft caress
A little lovely dream.
Summary : From the expression 'good-night' it is clear that the child is asleep. The starry sky diffuses a sort of golden light which has made the atmosphere a dreamland. The mother caresses her darling and leaves him/her in the custody of the dream.
