The Sleeping Child

Haggard's 'The Sleeping Child' is a rich tapestry of medieval imagery, mythological references, and a haunting narrative that transports listeners to a time of dragons, wizards, and knights. The song opens with a vivid description of a celebratory night, where starlight twinkles and the distant clatter of horses' hooves heralds an impending doom. The lyrics paint a picture of a gathering at a tavern, where weapons are laid aside, and a golden shimmer illuminates the scene, suggesting a moment of peace before the storm.

The Latin phrase 'Mors stupebit et natura, Cum resurget creatura' translates to 'Death and nature will be astounded, When the creature rises again,' hinting at a resurrection or awakening. This theme is echoed in the chorus, where the 'sleeping child' is awakened at midnight when two moons rise, symbolizing a significant and mystical event. The imagery of silent tears falling and a dream long ago evokes a sense of nostalgia and foreboding, as if the awakening of the sleeping child is both a moment of wonder and a harbinger of sorrow.

As the song progresses, the storyteller's role becomes central, weaving tales of mythical creatures and heroic figures around the fireside. However, the looming presence of 'Mother Death' and the evil from the forest's depths cast a shadow over the gathering. The final verses describe a cloak of darkness and a dim haze, where both mighty men and servants shed their lifeblood on their blades, suggesting a tragic and inevitable conflict. The recurring motif of the two moons and the sleeping child ties the narrative together, creating a sense of cyclical destiny and the inescapable nature of fate.