“He Giveth His Beloved Sleep” by Banjo Paterson
Gratitude for restful sleep
This reflective lyric poem explores the reprieve and solace that sleep brings from the burdens and toils of life. Through religious imagery and a somber tone, Paterson conveys the speaker’s weariness and gratitude for restful sleep.
The first several stanzas establish the “load of sorrow” that accompanies the human condition – cares creep over our lives like shadows, spoiling any happiness. Paterson describes the ceaseless labor and striving in life, as people work to reap, build, and profit materially.
He questions if all this ultimately matters, since death and the “Great Hereafter” await regardless. No amount of weeping or laughter changes one’s fate. This sentiment lends the poem a melancholy, meditative quality.
In the final stanza, the speaker turns to prayer, thanking God for the gift of sleep, which delivers respite from earthly troubles. Sleep is portrayed as a blessing, almost a divine reward, for tired souls.
The lyrical rhyming quatrains, with their ABAB scheme, gives the poem a hymn-like rhythm. This matches the reverent, prayerful tone, as the speaker implores God to continue providing sleep.
While simple in structure, the poem contains introspective musing on human mortality and finding solace in rest. Paterson skillfully transforms sleep into a spiritual symbol, representing the peace one finds in letting go of effort and ambition. The poem is a quiet reminder to appreciate life’s simple gifts.
“He Giveth His Beloved Sleep”
The long day passes with its load of sorrow:
In slumber deep
I lay me down to rest until to-morrow—
Thank God for sleep.
Thank God for all respite from weary toiling,
From cares that creep
Across our lives like evil shadows, spoiling
God’s kindly sleep.
We plough and sow, and, as the hours grow later,
We strive to reap,
And build our barns, and hope to build them greater
Before we sleep.
We toil and strain and strive with one another
In hopes to heap
Some greater share of profit than our brother
Before we sleep.
What will it profit that with tears or laughter
Our watch we keep?
Beyond it all there lies the Great Hereafter!
Thank God for sleep!
For, at the last, beseeching Christ to save us,
We turn with deep
Heart-felt thanksgiving unto God, who gave us
The Gift of Sleep.