Shhh...It's a Lullaby Game!

Today's Wonder of the World is...the Lullaby!

Flickr photo by Heart felt
You've got to love a song that helps put a tired baby to sleep.
Though my kids didn't need them very often.

French cafés used to have a similar effect on Sammy, and joy of joys, they gave me an excuse for a petit crème! Yum.
Still, I love a good lullaby. And I find the lyrics fascinating. Have you ever paid them much attention?
I know...let's play a lullaby game. I'll give you a hint with a photo, and you see if you can remember the lullaby. I bet you know more lullabies than you think!

Ready? Okay, remember, no sleeping allowed!
Okey doke.
Number One:

Flickr photo by Miko
Got it? No, it's not a lullaby for monkeys! Notice where they are.
Yes!
Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.

What a weird song. Only a monkey would put a baby in a treetop.

Number Two:

Flickr photo by nell Gonzoid
Did you get it?
Hush-a-bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little ba-by;
When you wake,
you shall have,
all the pretty little horses.

We won't debate whether a baby really needs a horse, let alone all of them. Enjoy the other verses here.

Number Three:

Yes! Lavender Blue, or Lavender's Blue, depending on who's singing it.
Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, rosemary's green,
When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly dilly, who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly, that told me so.

Give it a listen here.

Number Four:
Warning: This may creep you out.

Flickr photo by redrickshaw
See what I mean? And that doll is nothing compared to the lyrics!
Bye, O baby bunting
Daddy's gone a hunting
To get a little rabbit skin
To wrap his baby bunting in

Yikes. No thanks, Daddy.
If you're dying to hear Bye O Baby Bunting, hop over here.

Number Five:
If you're a francophile, you might recognize this berçeuse. If not, I'll help you.
Here's the hint:

Flickr photo by misslaurenlee
Notice those are male hands making the hot chocolate.
It's Fais Do Do!
Here, listen first and then I'll translate. This lullaby is delicious! (It's French, after all!)

Pretty, non?
Allow me to translate the first verse.
Go Nighty-night (Ni)colas, my little brother,
Go nighty-night you will get Milk-y.
Mommy is upstairs making cakes
Papa is downstairs making hot chocolate
Go nighty-night (Ni)colas, my little brother
Go nighty-night you will get milk-y

Ah. That's so sweet. Except that song would get my kids get out of bed, begging for cake and hot chocolate!

Ready for the last one? Think Porgy and Bess.

Photo by The Library of Congress
You're right! Summertime!
I love this song, even though the music sounds so sad.

Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich, and your ma is good looking
So hush little baby, don't you cry.

One of these mornings, you're gonna rise up singing
You're gonna spread your wings and take the sky
But till that morning, there is nothing can harm you
With your daddy and mommy standing by.

Aren't those words terrific? Sing along here.

So what's your favorite lullaby? Were you sung to as a child? If you have kids, do you (or did you) sing to them?

Have a wonder-full Wednesday, y'all!
Love, Becky
PS. Enjoy this wacky lullaby from Virginia O'Brian in the Marx Brother's movie The Big Store.