by Louise-Anne Geddes, Mindful Mum, 9th November 2011

Most have repetitive and simple melodies which are meant to offer comfort and security when they are drifting off. Many well known Christmas carols were written as lullabies for the baby Jesus, and are used worldwide to soothe infants to the land of nod. Here are our top ten lullabies.

1. Hush Little Baby
2. Rock-a-bye-baby
3. Silent Night
4. Wynken, Blynken and Nod
5. Wee Willie Winkie
6. Que Sera
7. Ali Bali Bee
8. Brahms Lullaby
9. Good Night
10. Rocking Carol

Hush Little Baby

Hush, little baby, don’t say a word.
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town

Rock-a-bye Baby

Rock-a-bye baby, in the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all
Baby is drowsing, cozy and fair
Mother sits near, in her rocking chair
Forward and back, the cradle she swings
And though baby sleeps, he hears what she sings
From the high rooftops, down to the sea
No one’s as dear, as baby to me
Wee little fingers, eyes wide and bright
Now sound asleep, until morning light.

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Wynken, Blynken and Nod

(This is a rhythmic poem rather than a song. There is no tune, but the rhythm of the words works in the same way)

Wynken, Blynken and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe,
Sailed on a river of crystal light
Into a sea of dew

Where are you going
And what do you wish
The old man asked the three
We’ve come to fish
For the herring fish
That swim in the beautiful sea
Nets of silver and gold have we
Said Wynken, Blynken and Nod

So all night long
Their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinklin’ foam
Then down from the sky
Came the wooden shoe
Bringing the fisherman home

‘Twas oh so pretty
A sail it seemed
As if it could not be
And some folks thought
‘Twas a dream they’d dreamed
Of sailing the beautiful sea
But I shall name you
The fisherman three
Wynken, Blynken and Nod

Wynken and Blynken
Are two little eyes
And Nod is a weary head
And the wooden shoe
That sailed the skies
Is a wee one’s trundle bed
So shut your eyes
While Mommy sings
Of the wonderful sights that be
And you shall see
All the beautiful things
As you rock in that misty sea
Just like the fisherman three
Wynken, Blynken and Nod
Just like the fisherman three
Wynken, Blynken and Nod

Wee Willie Winkie

Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town
Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown,
Tapping at the window and crying through the lock
Are all the children in their beds, it’s past eight o’clock?

Que Sera

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here’s what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here’s what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Ali Bali Bee

Ali Bali Ali Bali Bee
Sitting on your Mammy’s knee
Greetin’ for a wee bawbee
To buy some Coulter’s candy

Mammy gi’t me my thrifty doon
Here’s old Coulter coming round
Wi’ his basket on his croon
He’s selling Coulter’s candy

Our wee Jeannie was awfy thin
A wrickle of bones just wrapped in skin
Noo she’s getting a wee double chin
Fae eating Coulter’s candy

Go to sleep now, my bonny wee one
It’s six o’clock and your playing’s done
When you wake up in the morning sun
You’ll get more Coulter’s candy

Translation:
Greetin’ – crying
Bawbee – half penny
Mair – more
Thrifty doon – pocket money

Brahms Lullaby

Lullaby, and good night, with pink roses bedight,
With lilies o’er spread, is my baby’s sweet head.
Lay thee down now, and rest, may thy slumber be blessed!
Lay thee down now, and rest, may thy slumber be blessed!
Lullaby, and good night, your mother’s delight,
Shining angels beside my darling abide.
Soft and warm is your bed, close your eyes and rest your head.
Soft and warm is your bed, close your eyes and rest your head.
Sleepyhead, close your eyes. mother’s right here beside you.
I’ll protect you from harm, you will wake in my arms.
Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.
Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.

Good Night

This was originally written by John Lennon as a lullaby for his son Julian

Now it’s time to say good night
Good night Sleep tight
Now the sun turns out his light
Good night Sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you.

Close your eyes and I’ll close mine
Good night Sleep tight
Now the moon begins to shine
Good night Sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you.

Close your eyes and I’ll close mine
Good night Sleep tight
Now the sun turns out his light
Good night Sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you.

Good night Good night Everybody
Everybody everywhere
Good night.

Rocking Carol

Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:
See the fur to keep you warm,
Snugly round your tiny form.
Mary’s little baby, sleep, sweetly sleep,
Sleep in comfort, slumber deep;
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:
We will serve you all we can,
Darling, darling little man.

Sources: Hush Little Baby Rock-a-bye baby Silent Night
Wynken, Blynken and Nod Wee Willie Winkie
Que Sera Ali Bali Bee Brahms Lullaby Good Night Rocking Carol

Photography: Raul Hernandez Gonzalez @Flickr