Lyrics adapted by Frank DiGiacomo from the play by S. Ansky. Based on THE DYBBUK, translation © 1974 by S. Morris Engel, published by Nash Publishing Corporation, New York.

Drained, exhausted, and weeping Laia is momentarily left alone after the excorcism as the wedding party approaches. She does not know it was Khannon’s voice and spirit which filled
her, but now that it is gone, she feels empty and barren. She cradles her shawl in her arms and sings a Lullaby to the children she knows she will never have.

There are two performance recordings available of Laia's Lullaby. The first is sung by Christine Klemperer, accompanied by Frank DiGiacomo, on October 5, 1976 at the old Corinthian Club in Syracuse, New York.
The second performance is by Mayda Prado, accompanied by the Composer, at the recital An Evening of New Music by Frank DiGiacomo, on May 18, 1977 at the Carrier Theater of the Mulroy Civic Center in Syracuse, New York. The aria starts at bar 4.

LYRICS
LAIA:
    Oooh, oooh.
    Bayu, baby bayu.
    Bayu, bayushki bayu.
    Sleep, my baby, bayu, etc.

    Hush, my little ones, hush.
    Without cradle, without clothes,
    without shoes upon your little feet,
    with no rings to put on your fingers,
    Baby bayu, bayushki bayu.
    I shall give you raisins, and figs and almonds too.
    I with silks will sew your wedding dress,
    so sleep, my baby bayu, bayushki bayu.
    A nanny-goat stands under my baby’s cradle.
    She has gone to market to fetch me raisins,
    and milk to feed my baby.
    So close your lovely bright shining eyes, my baby.
    When you awake, your father
    will take you to milk the white nanny-goat.
    Then hand in hand we shall sit before the fire
    and we shall all read the Holy Books together,
    your father, you and I...
    Never shall I see you,
    never hold you in my arms.
    How I would have loved you, my babies;
    now you are timeless and forever lost to me.
    Baby bayu, bayushki bayu.
    How I would have loved you, my babies;
    now I shall never hold you in my arms!
    Baby bayu, bayushki bayu.

(She remains softly weeping, facing front with her eyes shut, cradling the shawl like a baby.)