Research by Great Ormond street has shown that lullabies can decrease babies’ heart rate and pain levels. This doesn’t explain the fact that these lullabies have lyrics as disturbing as any Brothers Grimm story.
We are committed to giving babies the best possible growing up experience. This includes the early stages of their development, right through the time they can walk and crawl as toddlers.
Babies learn at every stage of their development. We care about all aspects of baby development, from baby products to baby sleep routines to baby lullaby music they listen to at different times throughout the day.
Top Baby Lullabies with Lyrics Review
Lullaby songs have been used for centuries to calm babies and put them to sleep. Lullaby is a term that means “sing to your sleep.” The soothing beats of lullaby music are similar to the mother’s heartbeat, which averages 70 beats per minute. This is a great pace for rocking your baby to sleep.
We have gathered a selection of baby lullabies for quiet time in your baby’s sleeping routine. These lullabies are perfect for quiet-time stage of your baby’s sleep routine.
1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
This baby lullaby was probably familiar to you when you were a baby. Jane Taylor, one of the most well-known female poets of 19th century England, wrote this timeless lullaby song to babies.
It was published under the title “The Star” and our eyes twinkle like stars whenever our babies sing along to it!
Lyrics
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.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Then the traveller in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark;
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
2. Baby Lullaby Goodnight – Brahms’ Lullaby
You might find this a difficult baby lullaby because you have to focus on your baby before you can give them. This baby lullaby has soothing properties that can help adults fall asleep. It was originally called Brahms’ Lullaby. This song was written by Brahms for a friend. He didn’t know it would be one of the most well-known baby songs ever written.
Lyrics
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.
3. All the Pretty Horses
This American lullaby is also known as “hush-a bye”, but its origins are not completely known. This is a mother singing to her child, promising them all the horses they desire if they stop crying and go to sleep. We all sometimes wish we could get our babies to stop crying with just a few horses.
This baby lullaby can help calm your baby so that they sleep peacefully in your arms. You may be having trouble getting your baby to sleep. Here are some tips to help you get it to sleep.
Lyrics
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry
Go to sleep-y, little baby.
When you wake you shall have
All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays, dapples and grays,
Coach and six-a-little horses.
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleep-y, little baby.
4. The Highland Fairy Lullaby – Scotland
This Scottish lullaby is a beautiful song with alarming lyrics. It tells the story of a mother who abandons her child outside. The baby is different when she returns. The lullaby explains a common idea that can be used to explain bizarre childhood behaviors.
These “changelings” are thought to be children that we now recognize as having learning difficulties, but without any scientific explanation, it is believed that a myth was created.
Lyrics
I left my baby lying here,
Lying here, lying here
I left my baby lying there
To go and gather berries.
I found the wee brown otter’s track
Otter’s track, otter’s track
I found the wee brown otter’s track
But ne’er a trace o’ my baby, O!
I found the track of the swan on the lake
Swan on the lake, swan on the lake
I found the track of the swan on the lake
But not the track of baby, O!
I found the trail of the mountain mist
Mountain mist, mountain mist
I found the trail of the mountain mist
But ne’er a trace of baby, O!
5. Bium Bium – Iceland
This Icelandic lullaby tells of a monster that lurks outside and waits to sleep with children at night. The monster that waits for children is called Bium Bium. Bium Bium was originally part of Fjalla Eyvindur, a play.
The play features a mother soothing her child to sleep, so she can drown her child and join her husband running from the authorities.
Lyrics
Bium bium bambaló
Bambaló and dilidillidó
My little friend and I lull to rest
But outside, a face looms at the window
When the mighty mountains
Fill your chest with burning desire,
I will play the langspil
And soothe your mind.
Bium bium bambaló
Bambaló and dilidillidó
My little friend I lull to rest
But outside, a face looks at the window
When the cruel storms rage
And the dark blizzard crouches above,
I shall light five candles
And drive away the winter shadows.
6. Rock-A-Bye Baby – USA
There are 5 theories about this baby lullaby. 5 stories tell 5 different stories. Johnson’s believes that the sounds and pitch of baby lullabies are as important as the lyrics.
One theory suggests that a mother holds and rocks her baby and then lowers her baby to her crib as she sleeps. The lullaby continues, “down will come baby.”
Another theory is that the poem was written by an English immigrant in 17th-century England. He noticed native-Americans rocking babies from cradles suspended from trees, while the babies slept to a breeze.
Lyrics
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
Baby is drowsing, cosy 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.
7. Hush Little Baby – USA
It is believed that this lullaby originated in the southern United States. However, it is not clear how old it actually is. The soothing rhythm and repetitive lyrics are popular because they encourage their child to go to sleep. There is also a darker side.
The last lines suggest that they are desperate to keep the baby sleeping. This suggests that the mother would view the baby’s passing as a blessing, as they would be the “sweetest little boy in town”.
Lyrics
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word.
Mama’s gonna buy you a Mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won’t sing,
Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest baby in town.
8. Dodo Titi – Haiti
The most popular lullaby in Haiti is this lullaby that parents often improvise in order to get their baby to sleep. The child will sometimes be warned about coming-to-harm if the baby doesn’t go back to sleep.
Lyrics
Sweet sleep, mommy’s little one,
Sweet sleep, daddy’s little one.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
Your daddy’s away he’s at the river,
Your mommy’s away getting firewood.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
Sweet sleep, mommy’s little one,
Sweet sleep, daddy’s little one.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
Your mommy’s away she’s at the river,
Your daddy’s away he’s trapping crabs.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
If you do not sleep, the crab will eat you.
Sleep, little one,
Crab’s in the gumbo.
Sleep, little one!
Crab’s in the gumbo.
9. Dodo Piti Popo – Trinidad
Although this Trinidadian lullaby is well-known, its origins are not known. The jumbie is a demon that often appears in Caribbean folklore. A jumbie, or the spirit of an evil person who has passed away, is a jumbie. They are believed to be a shapeshifter and can take on the appearance of a frightening old witch (soucouyant), or a ball of fire.
The warning in the lullaby warns that if the child does not fall asleep, they will be taken by the spirit and their blood will be drawn.
Lyrics
Sleep, little baby,
The little baby doesn’t want to sleep.
The jumbie will eat him
The soucouyant will suck his blood.
10. Que Llueva, Que Llueva – Argentina
This is a Colombian lullaby that is very popular. This song is meant to prevent children from fearing the rain, as there are many thunderstorms in the region. This song links bad weather with witchcraft and magic.
It’s similar to many Spanish folk songs, as the traditional Spanish folk songs often focus on nature and weather.
Lyrics
Let it rain, let it rain,
The witch is in the cave,
The birds sing,
The witch rises in the air.
Oh yes, oh no,
Let it pour down
Under the bed
With water and soap.
11. Boju Boju – Nigeria
Another lullaby that comes with a warning. This warns children that if they close their eyes, a monster will search for them and kill them. “Boju Boju” could be translated as mask, or peekaboo. This song refers to the Yoruba god Oro.
The Oro, as he is called in the song, is a masquerade in Oloro’s honour in which the men dress up as spirits and the women hide at home. Oloro, which means ‘chief masquerader’, is Oloro the high chief responsible for the masquerade.
Lyrics
Cover your eyes,
Oh!
The Oloro is coming,
Oh!
Go and hide,
Oh!
Should I open them?
Open, open, open them!
Open, open, open them!
Whoever he finds will be killed,
Oh!
12. Duérmete, Mi Nino – Spain
Mi Nino is a popular Latin American lullaby that gently reminds sleepless children to be awake. The ‘Coco’ is an indistinct monster that will take them away if they don’t. The second verse states that the Coco will not only take them away, but will also eat them.
Latin culture holds that the mother is the one who stays at home with the child. Therefore, this song is only for mothers and women caring for young children.
Lyrics
Sleep little one,
Sleep my love,
Or the Coco will come and take you,
Away.
Sleep little one,
Sleep my love,
Or the coco will come and eat you up.
13. Bayu Bayushki Bayu – Russia
This lullaby is used to ensure that children in Russia or Belarus don’t get out of bed at night. It warns them to stay in their bed, or a wolf could come under it. Although the origins of this lullaby have not been revealed, it is very popular in Russia today.
Lyrics
Sleep sleep sleep,
Don’t lie too close to the edge of the bed,
Or little grey wolf will come,
And grab you by the flank,
Drag you into the woods,
Underneath the willow root.
Sleep sleep sleep.
14. Lelo Ledung – Indonesia
It is based on the Indonesian island Java and tells the tale of a giant who takes away crying children. This is a warning to little girls that crying makes them look ugly and it asks them to be proud of their families.
Each stanza tells the child to go to sleep immediately, and each one is repeated over several stanzas. This lullaby is believed to be an ancient one that was sung for thousands and is still very popular in Java today.
Lyrics
Tak lelo…lelo…lelo ledung…
Please hush, don’t keep on crying,
My child with a lovely face.
If you cry, you won’t look as beautiful.
I pray that you can live honourably,
Be a woman of high importance,
Bring honour to your parents’ name,
Be a warrior of your country…
Please hush…my child…
There, the moon is full,
Like the head of a scary giant,
One who’s looking for a crying child.
Tak lelo…lelo…lelo ledung.
Please hush, my beautiful child,
I am carrying you in a sling.
If you keep crying, you’ll make me nervous.
15. Babes in the Woods – Australia
Although it’s not known how old this Australian lullaby may be, it is based upon a fairy tale that has been around for many generations. It has also inspired numerous pantomimes. Two children are left alone in the forest by their parents and eventually die.
Although it doesn’t sound very soothing, it fits in with the idea of using lullabies as a warning to children not to go alone. It is still a popular song in Australia.
Lyrics
Oh, my friends don’t you know,
How a long time ago,
There were two little children,
Whose names I don’t know.
They were taken away,
On a cold winter’s day,
And left in the woods,
So I heard some folks say.
And they sobbed, and they sighed,
And they bitterly cried,
‘Til, at last, they grew weary,
And lay down and died.
And the robins so red,
When they saw they were dead,
Took strawberry leaves,
And over them spread.
Oh, babes in the woods,
Poor babes in the woods,
How sad is the story,
Of the babes in the woods.
Conclusion
It is clear that lullabies are deeply ingrained in the culture of many countries. Even though some may seem scary, they help both babies and adults fall asleep.
Singing bedtime songs together is a great way to bond with your baby and help him sleep better before bed. These songs can be sung together as your baby grows.
Each baby is unique, so there are not many baby lullabies that will work for everyone. In fact, you may need to listen to several songs before you can find the one that gets your child excited.
FAQ for Baby Lullabies
What are baby lullabies?
Lullabies are a type of song that is sung to help babies fall asleep. These songs are often sung in many different languages and cultures, but they all have the same goal: to calm the baby and send them off to sleep.
Lullabies are often thought of as being a traditional song that has been passed down from generation to generation, but lullabies can also be found in other forms such as poetry, prose, or prose with music.
A common misconception is that these songs originated from ancient times; however, lullabies were created in the late 1800s by French composer Charles Lecocq.
Can lullabies be used for any age group?
Lullabies have been around for centuries and have served to calm babies and children. They are usually sung in a gentle, soothing manner to help the baby fall asleep. However, there is a range of lullabies for different age groups that can be used for the appropriate group.
1) Lullabies that are meant for infants generally include more repetition of lyrics and a slower tempo with a soft melody. These lullabies are often sung in a higher tone and include words like “hush” as they calm the baby down.
2) Lullabies that are meant to soothe toddlers often use more complex melodies with an upbeat tempo, which is easier to follow along with and typically focuses on words like “goodnight.”
3) Lullabies meant for older children often include lyrics such as “I love you” or “good-night,” which may not be appropriate if you’re trying to put your infant or toddler to sleep.
What the benefits of listening to lullabies?
Lullabies are an important part of a child’s life. They help to soothe and calm the baby down. Studies have shown that babies who are sung to sleep, sleep better and longer than those who are not sung to sleep.
There are many benefits of listening to lullabies. It can be used as a tool for calming babies and helping them sleep better. It also helps in bonding between the parents and the child, which is vital for their healthy development.
Is it appropriate to use lullabies for babies who have trouble sleeping?
There are many lullabies that can be used for babies who have trouble sleeping. The problem is that a lot of them are not appropriate for the child’s age. For example, “Rock-A-Bye Baby” is popular lullaby but it is not appropriate for babies who are more than three months old because it talks about putting the baby in a cradle.
The best way to make sure you find the right lullaby is to ask the parents what they like and then find a song that has similar qualities. It will be difficult to find an appropriate song if you don’t know what type of music they prefer and what kind of lyrics they would like.
What is the difference between a lullaby and a bedtime story?
A lullaby is a song that is sung to put a baby to sleep. These songs are usually slow, repetitive and calming. A bedtime story is often a bit more complex and has an interesting plot with lots of suspense and twists.
What makes a song good for a lullabies?
There are many factors that contribute to a song making a good lullaby. The song should be slow and soft, but not too slow. It should also be in a major key and have a soothing melody.
Some songs that make good lullabies are “You Are My Sunshine” by John Rutter, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” by Mozart, and “Hush Little Baby” by Brahms.
How do know when to start singing lullabies?
The first step in knowing when to start singing lullabies is understanding the importance of sleep. If you are not getting enough sleep, it can lead to a number of health problems such as depression and anxiety.
To know when to start singing lullabies, it is important to understand the stages of sleep. This will help you know when your child is going through each stage and which songs are appropriate for them at that time.
How can a baby attach love to music?
Music is an important part of the lives of children and babies. It helps them learn words, language, and even emotions. Because of this, it is important to make sure that they are exposed to music at an early age.
One way to do so is by playing music in their room or crib when they are sleeping. While some parents may find this difficult, there are ways to make it easier for them and even fun for the baby.
Music can be also used as a way to help babies learn how they feel about different objects or people. For example, when you play a song that you know makes your baby happy and then place a toy on their lap while playing the song again, they will most likely try to grab the toy in their sleep!