SLEEP, MY LITTLE CABBAGE

Now the making will unmake
And the sewing will unsew;
How long will the longing take
‘Til the letting will let go?

Fais do-do, fais do-do
Mon p’tit chou si doux, si beau.

Falling dark must surely fall,
The slow blowing will unblow;
Walls of safety will unwall,
Cradle rock unto, unfro.

Fais do-do, fais do-do
Mon p’tit chou si doux, si beau.

Good-bye comes to be ungood
As the hello’s unhello;
Missing is misunderstood,
Knowing’s clouded to unknow.

Fais do-do, fais do-do
Mon p’tit chou si doux, si beau.

Broken heart will not unbreak,
Wish will not make go ungo,
So, my little cabbage cake
Take my love, now, fais do-do…

Fais do-do, fais do-do
Mon p’tit chou si doux, si beau.
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SLEEP, MY LITTLE CABBAGE
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“Fais do-do” is a French expression, “do-do” being a diminutive of the verb “dormir,” (to sleep). It is a way of saying go to sleep, usually to small children.
“Mon p’tit chou” is literally “my little cabbage” but is used figuratively as an affectionate expression like the English “my pet.”
This poem was written last week as a lullaby to my cat, Beau, a companion for 16 years, as I watched him pass away peacefully in his sleep. Translation of the French refrain:  “Go to sleep, go to sleep, my little pet, so beautiful, so sweet.”