May the Road Rise Up (Jeremy's Lullaby)

[Started on a mountainside hike while playing hooky from the ICML

conference in Banff. I'd always wondered how to interpret the Irish

blessing "May the road rise up to greet you", but this melody stuck in

my head was a perfect match for the phrase, and the rest of the words

just followed.

In Jewish tradition, there's a daily blessing you're supposed to make

over your children. I've taken to using this as a bedtime song for Jem

as a stand-in for that purpose.]

[a cappella, slowly and simply]

May the road rise up to greet you, may all your days be bright

May love walk at your side by day, and keep you warm at night

May all you pass upon your way be glad to call you friend

And may the road rise up to greet you, and bring you home again

May you always find an easy mind when you lie down to rest

And when you wake with morning's light, may each day be your best

May all the joys you dream at night rise up with you each day

And may the wind be at your back as you set on your way

(first chorus, repeated:)

And may the road rise up to greet you, may all your days be bright

May love walk at your side by day, and keep you warm at night

May all you pass upon your way be glad to call you friend

And may the road rise up to greet you, and bring you home again