the father's face is stern and strong he sits and judges right from wrong he weighs our lives the short and long and loves the little children the mother gives the gift of life and watches over every wife her gentle smile ends all strife and she loves her little children the warrior stands before the foe protecting us where e'er we go with sword and shield and spear and bow he guards the little children the crone is very wise and old and sees our fates as they unfold she lifts her lamp of shining gold to lead the little children the smith he labors day and night to put the world of men to right with hammer plow and fire bright he builds for little children the maiden dances through the sky she lives in every lover's sigh her smiles teach the birds to fly and gives dreams to little children the seven gods who made us all are listening if we should call so close your eyes you shall not fall they see you little children just close your eyes you shall not fall they see you little children