Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: WyoWoman Date: 19 Jun 99 - 12:38 AM Ach, Terry. I'm in love. kc |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Terry Date: 18 Jun 99 - 07:22 PM How amazing to read this thread! Only last night my brother and I were reminiscing about how, on the occasions when my grandfather came home from the pub not simply "with drink taken" but truly drunk, my grandmother would lock him out of the house. He'd sit on the front stoop for hours and sing mournful Irish ballads like "The Bold Fenian Men," "The Valley of Knockanure," "Sean South of Garryowen," "The Dying Rebel," and "The Croppy Boy." We realize now that the dear man was a lonely alcoholic. Yet my brother and I decided that the very definition of "cozy" was to snuggle under the weight of several scratchy wool blankets after crossing the icy bedroom floor to open the window so we could listen to Papa's lovely tenor voice blow in with the cold night air. My sons loved the old rebel songs, too, as well as "Let It Be" and "Puff The Magic Dragon." My younger boy, Gabriel, loved Joan Baez's lullaby "Gabriel And Me," of course. So that my older boy wouldn't feel left out, I sang A.A. Milne's poem "Timothy Tim Has Ten Pink Toes" to the tune of "The Skye Boat Song." One of my sweetest pleasures now is rocking and singing to my three grandsons, ages 1 month, 2 years and 2-1/2 years old. Their fathers complain that I spoil them by continuing to rock and sing to them long after they've fallen asleep in my arms. But sometimes, they'll whisper, "Oh, I loved that song!" and sing along with me. At those moments, it's like the very best of the past and the future coming together -- and my heart just soars! |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 18 Jun 99 - 08:35 AM Another one my kids loved was Inchworm |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: BRACKEN Date: 17 Jun 99 - 11:31 PM My favorite lullaby "The Castle of Dromore" and a song I only remember a bit of "The sun's going down in the deep blue seaSusan |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 16 Jun 99 - 10:46 PM It's funny that I think of it now, but after some consideration I think there's nothing that could please me more sometimes than to be softly sung to sleep myself. What a comforting thought. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Night Owl Date: 16 Jun 99 - 01:52 AM My daughter's favorite bedtime songs were "Rivers of Texas" with the Dulcimer and "Hobo's Lullaby" with the Autoharp....played over and over and over and..... |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: WyoWoman Date: 16 Jun 99 - 12:13 AM I have to admit I revised some of the lullabyes for my kids, in the interest of not giving them nightmares, although I honestly don't believe now that they even listened to the words. "Rockabye baby, in the treetop, when the wind blows the cradle will rock. when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall, But Austin won't fall down, no not at all..." Call me a censor... KC |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: GUY Wolff Date: 15 Jun 99 - 11:49 PM My Mom put on a pile of records down stairs for us to "go out on". Being the yungest mine was first ..Either Tuby the Tuba or Hans Christian Anderson with Danny Kay. Then my brother got West Side Story and my Mom would Start tap Dancing to Fred Astair.{By then I was asleep anyway}>>>> My daughter loves the long ones as Sandy mentioned. AS grusom as it gets... she likes "The Famuos Flower Of Serving Men" She also likes John Barly-Corn>>{a few times in a row}>>>>Country Life<< |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: o'hanrahan Date: 15 Jun 99 - 07:16 AM "Isle Au Haute Lullabye"-Gordon Bok |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: GutBucketeer Date: 14 Jun 99 - 11:58 PM I started singing to my kids when they were little. First we read, then I sing. They are now 9 and 7 and still will not go to bed untill my wife or I sing. Actually my singing to them rekindled my interest in music and I haven't looked back since. When I started all I knew was drinking songs, songs about trying to get a man/woman into bed (My Husbands got no courage in him, Never Marry an old man) or death (Long black Veil, Motherless Child). My wife said I was giving the kids nightmares so I did learn some Lulabyes. Their favorites were Morningtown Ride, and Lavenders Green. Since then we have progressed to all sorts of sea shanties. Its amazing, but there is something about my voice that even at full bore Whiskey Johny, or Boston Come All ye will put the kids out faster than you can shake a stick at. Sometimes I be singing for some time and Linn will yell in... They're Asleep! and sure enough they will be. Peaceful time at last! Jim in Silver Spring |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: bet Date: 14 Jun 99 - 10:28 PM The 2 that I still hear in my head are Toora Loora Loora and Prarie Lullaby. Those were Mom's favorites to sing. Kat and I were laughing Sat. about cowboy songs also. The ones with the MANY verses. We decided that when Dad sang them he thought that if the cows went to sleep with them then us kids probably wouold too. I think he was right. bet |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 14 Jun 99 - 06:38 PM Actually, by that age, they love cute stuff like that. My kids liked this one:
But that's a whole separate category, and not (I hope!) a lullabye.
|
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Fadac Date: 14 Jun 99 - 06:13 PM How about this? Mary had a little lamb She tied to the heater, Every time it turned around It burned it's little seater. Not a song, but I have taught this to several 3-4 year olds. (heh, heh) Fadac |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 14 Jun 99 - 06:03 PM I'm so glad you mentioned the concept of "corrupting" the kids, Mairead.m. One of the songs I sang to the kids when they were little was Haul Away Joe (which has a soothing, swaying lilt to it when sung gently). My then-wife used to complain about the immorality of singing them a song which contained the lines: Me muvver often told me...which is one of the many reasons she's no longer my wife, but that's another story. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Mairead.m Date: 14 Jun 99 - 05:43 PM I found this website in search of lyrics to some old lullabyes. My 5 month old falls asleep to Castle of Dromore but when she is awake she prefers The Spree and Whiskey Your The Devil - Im corrupting her already - but those drinking songs seem to quiet her everytime |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: as_a_mauve@hotmail.com Date: 14 Jun 99 - 04:59 PM I was sung to sleep with "You are my Sunshine" My daughter prefers "The Worm Song" followed by a modified "Rockabye Baby" viz Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, gonna go eat some worms. Big, fat slimy ones, little, smally crawly ones, pick 'em up and watch 'em squirm. Bite the head off, suck the juice out, throw the skins awaaaaaaay. No one knows how well you live on worms three times a day. then Rockabye, Big Girl, on the tree top When the wind blows, big girl's bed will rock When the bough breaks, big girl's bed will fall and down will come Big Girl, her bed and all. She likes it... so do I |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Shack Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:02 PM Mama sang "All the Pretty Little Ponies," "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "Playmate." My babies' favorites were "Summertime," "Danny Boy," "Hoboe's Lullabye," "Hush Little Baby." I would sing 'em 'til my wife would drag me out of their little rooms. I occasionally still do, though my youngest is 16. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 14 Jun 99 - 11:29 AM Sorry, that should have read: How could anyone fail to notice That your loving is a miracle, How deeply you're connected to my soul. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 14 Jun 99 - 11:27 AM I'm with you, Matthew. I feel so priviledged that my 10 year old still loves to have me sing to her when she's having trouble getting to sleep. One of her current favorites is by Libby Roderick (I think): How could anyone ever tell you You were anything less than beautiful How could anyone ever tell you You were less than whole, You could anyone fail to notice That your loving is a miracle, How deeply you're connected to my soul. Allison |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 14 Jun 99 - 09:01 AM I'm just loving this thread so much. Each letter gives me a lump in my throat and makes me feel closer to all of you. When I used to sing my daughter to sleep at night, she would try to trap my hand in her little arms so that I couldn't get away after she'd fall asleep. When she nodded off, it alomst broke my heart to wriggle out of her loving embrace. Sometimes I wouldn't, and I'd just sit and watch her angelic face in sleep. There is no greater treasure. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: WyoWoman Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:59 AM My son used to sit in my lap when he was a baby -- less than a year old, because I remember the house this occurred in -- straddling my lap and his face toward me. He'd hold onto my shirt with both hands like a little monkey and we'd rock and rock while I sang every song I knew. He had colic and the only thing that seemed to make him feel better was sitting and rocking and hearing my lullabyes. When he'd start to droop, I thought we were through with the singing. But if I started to get up, he'd bang his little fists a few times on my chest until I began a new song. Like bopping the jukebox to get it started again. I sang "East Virginia," "All My Trials," (I'd change the "your mama's going to die" part), "Now That the Buffalo's Gone," "Babe, I"m Gonna Leave You," "Can't Help Lovin' That Man," "Never-Never Land," and on and on and on. Kind of downer songs, for the most part, but he turned out ok. KC |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: gargoyle Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:33 AM Some more from a previous discussion:
|
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Indy Lass Date: 13 Jun 99 - 10:25 PM My mom would sing "Toora Loora." (sp?) Now I like to fall asleep to Enya's "Shepherd Moons." |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Mark Roffe Date: 13 Jun 99 - 06:09 PM All three kids were subjected to sitting on my lap in the old rocking chair while I sang Ewan Macoll's "Goodbye to the 30 Foot Trailer," as well as spur-of-the-moment originals. No, not all three kids at once, but each in turn when they were between one and three years old. It did drowse them out (and papa too). The first two kids liked it ok, but #3 began to struggle to the point where I lost my captive audience. In fact, she still hates it when I sing, but the boys still like it. Bark |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: emily rain Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:44 PM my mom sang anything and everything to us kids, but the ones that stand out are "the cruel mother" (!), "the old maid's song", and "all the pretty little ponies". |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Barbara Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:36 PM My mom and dad sang us Toora Loora Loora, Goodnight Irene (chorus only), A Tavern In the Town, Brahms Lullaby, Abide With Me, Day is Dying, and The Whiffenpoof Song. That's all I can remember, anyway. They sang other songs (like the Man on the Flying Trapeze) at other times. Blessings, Barbara |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: DougR Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:18 PM My three kids' favorite was "The Riddle Song." DougR |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 13 Jun 99 - 04:09 PM Believe it or not, The Missouri Waltz, with the racist verse(s) left out, was my favorite childhood lullabye! Mom also sang Down in the Valley and Hush Little Baby. I sang those to my children, as well as Sweet and Low, Dramore, All Through the Night (immortalized by my daughter as the "Garden Angels song"), and gool ol' Brahms. And Rosalie Sorrels' Hostile Baby Rocking song when the going got tough! Allison |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Summer Song Date: 13 Jun 99 - 12:06 PM I love Liverpool Lullabye. Reminds me of my childhood I'm sorry to say, but I love the song anyway. Summer |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 12 Jun 99 - 03:10 PM Dave, I'm so glad you mentioned Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy. Its lilting rhythms sent my little ones into slumber on many occasions. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Dave Swan Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:42 PM One of my singing buddies figured out the the words of E. Lear's poem The Owl and the Pussycat perfectly fit the melody of Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy. Instant, sweet lullaby/love song. His kids love it, and it's become one of our most requested songs. I sang it to my bride at our wedding reception. As a child, my lullaby was snoring of the big old bloodhound who raised me. Dave |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Frank of Toledo Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:26 PM My eight year old loves the "Hobo"s Lullaby". I hope his aspirations aren't towards box cars. Oh well to each his own.............. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Sandy Paton Date: 12 Jun 99 - 01:18 PM Caroline once asked Sara Cleveland, the great ballad singer from the upper Hudson Valley, what songs she sang to her children to help them get to sleep. "The longest ballads I knew," she replied. "They loved the goriest of the lot, like the one about The Old Oak Tree." Apparently many verses with a repeated melody will do the trick, regardless of the words. It's the soothing parental presence that really counts, I'd wager. Sandy |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Banjer Date: 12 Jun 99 - 07:27 AM I would include myself among the same ranks as Ian HP. "Shut up and go to sleep, you don't want me to come in there!" My "lullabies" were usually on the radio, tuned to the local country station, playing what is now thought of as "Classic Country" of the early to mid fifties. Maybe that's why I love the "old time country and gospel music" as much as I do. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Ian HP Date: 12 Jun 99 - 06:36 AM The only thing my dad sang to me at night was, very loudly, "Go to sleep, you saft bugger!!!" However, there is a very lovely lullaby from the Isle of Mann called Little Red Bird. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Date: 12 Jun 99 - 05:05 AM ...zzz...zzz |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Penny S. Date: 12 Jun 99 - 04:52 AM "Golden Slumbers" my mother sang, and my father sang a song from Paul Robeson, about wanting the stars to play with. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: rttowanda (inactive) Date: 11 Jun 99 - 09:18 PM Hush Little Baby is what I sang to my kids, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Always loved the tune to the lullaby in "Lady and the Tramp". Oh, and Tura Lura Lura (sp?). What a restful thread. |
Subject: RE: Favorite Lullabyes From: Bert Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:05 PM My earliest memories are of my Dad singing to me. He would sing us to sleep with just about every song he knew. I particularly remember 'Goodbye Old ship of mine' and 'Hobo Bill' though there were hundreds of others. When my daughter was a baby I used to 'sing her to sleep'. Well actually, to tell the truth, after a couple of hours my wife would come upstairs and find me asleep and Anna standing up in her crib. Glad to hear you are keeping up the family tradition Matthew B. Thanks for starting this thread. Bert.
|
Subject: Favorite Lullabyes From: Matthew B. Date: 11 Jun 99 - 05:32 PM I wonder how many of you were lucky enough to have been sweetly sung to sleep when you were little. I suspect that the percentage among us is pretty high, accounting for our love of this music. The songs that were used to put me to sleep included Tammy and the Yiddish lullabyes Rozhinkes mit Mandlen and Oifn Pripetshik. As for singing my own babies to sleep, I often used a sweet litling version of Spanish Ladies. How about you? |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |