I sing these songs to my little ones, with a Spotify playlist at the end.
After we brought our oldest son home from the hospital, I found myself blank as I stood there holding him in front of his crib. I couldn’t remember one lullaby. Then “Rock-a-Bye Baby” came to mind, but the part about the cradle falling “baby and all” always troubled me. No, I couldn’t sing that to my two-day-old babe. I thought about “Baby Mine,” but it makes me cry when I think about that part of “Dumbo.” So, I sang him “Sweet Baby James” by James Taylor. Because that’s much better — “and as the moon rises he sits by his fire, thinking about women and glasses of beer.” I seemed to have forgotten that part until I was singing it.
I’ve since relearned some classics and found some new lullabies, as well. These are the songs I sing to my babies (although “Sweet Baby James” still comes up every once in awhile just because). I’ve included the lyrics to help get acquainted. I put the better-known verses in black and added the lesser-known verses in gray just for fun.
Over the Rainbow
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why, can’t I?
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
(Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are)
When the blazing sun is gone
When he nothing shines upon
Then you show your little light
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night
Then the traveler in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark
He could not see which way to go
If you did not twinkle so
In the dark blue sky you keep
And often through my curtains peep
For you never shut your eye
Till the sun is in the sky
And as your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveler in the dark
Though I know not what you are
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
How I wonder what you are
Night Mantra
I will be your home
I will be your guide
I will be your friend
Always on your side
Sleep now in your room
Quiet of the night
Surrounded by the moon
Till you see the light
Brahms Lullaby
Lullaby, and good night, with pink roses bedight,
With lilies o’er spread, is my baby’s wee 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 goodnight, thy mother’s delight
Bright angels beside my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
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.
Jesus loves me
Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
For the Bible tells me so
Jesus loves me, He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide
He will wash away my sin
Let His little child come in
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
For the Bible tells me so
Jesus Loves me, He will stay
Close beside me all the way
He’s prepared a home for me
And someday His face I’ll see
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
He loves me, yes, Jesus loves me
For the Bible tells me so
The Bible tells me so
Goodnight
I’m a little frog and my Daddy loves me
I’m a little frog and my Mommy loves me
And when they tuck me in to say goodnight
They say “ribbit ribbit ribbit”
Goodnight
Goodnight goodnight goodnight little frog
Goodnight
Goodnight goodnight “ribbit ribbit ribbit”
Goodnight
I’m a little owl…
They say “hoo hoo hoo”…
I’m a little tiger…
They say “grr grr grr”…
I’m a little kid…
They say “goodnight honey”…
Goodnight goodnight goodnight…
You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head, and I cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Please don’t take my sunshine away
When You Wish Upon a Star
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
Little One
Oh little one it’s time to sleep
Lay your head down beside me
Oh little one just rest your mind
Let your thoughts go and close you eyes
I’ll keep you warm all through the night
For my heart is always with you
If you awake and feel alone
Know my heart is always with you
Sweet dreams to you my little one
Sweet dreams my little one
Sleep well my little one
Sleep well my little one
I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin’, “How do you do?”
They’re really sayin’, “I love you.”
I hear babies cryin’. I watch them grow.
They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Your favorite hymn
You can also take the time to memorize your favorite hymn. Mine has alway been “Come Thou Fount” but I had never taken the time to learn all the words. What better time than all that time you spend walking and pacing the room with that sweet bundle, convincing them they need to sleep? Now it’s one of my favorites to sing to my boys. (Think “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “Be Still My Soul” …)
These are lovely. I sing moon river to my granddaughter. Far away places is good as well.
So sweet. One of my first memories is my grandma singing to me :)