Beautiful Dreamer

 Sun 10:45 pm +00:00, 16 Mar 2025  2

posted by Gordon

Watching Netflix film 1883 the young cowboy girl (Isabel May) sings a song called Beautiful Dreamer to settle the cow herd down for the night. The song was originally composed and sang by Stephen Foster shortly before his death in 1864, and I have fond memories of my father going about the house singing and humming this song. Curiously, no other sibling in the family remembers this of my father. Perhaps this was because I was the only musical one in the household. Stephen Foster’s rendition can be found on YouTube, but I rather like Sheryl Crow’s take on it which helps to wind down for the night.

Beautiful Dreamer Serenade BY STEPHEN C. FOSTER

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee; Sounds of the rude world heard in the day, Lull’d by the moonlight have all pass’d a way!

Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song, List while I woo thee with soft melody; Gone are the cares of life’s busy throng,— Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea Mermaids are chaunting the wild lorelie; Over the streamlet vapors are borne, Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.

Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart, E’en as the morn on the streamlet and sea; Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,— Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!