Lullaby Class

There is something so special about snuggling up with your kiddo and singing or listening to a sweet lullaby, isn’t there? My son (15 months) is not the most snuggly baby, but without fail he nuzzles his head into my shoulder and relaxes his whole body into mine as soon as I start our nightly songs. It is perfection - I wish I could bottle it up and save it forever!

There are so many benefits to singing lullabies with your babies, from cognitive development to better sleep routines to parent-child bonding. (This NYT article is a fun read)

Today we wanted to share a couple of our favorite lullabies with you. We’ve used these with our own kids, and we’ve sung them in our live classes so many times.

•  “Golden Slumbers” is based on an old (1603) British text with a timeless image: “Golden slumbers kiss your eyes. Smiles await you when you rise. Sleep little baby, do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby.” 
• “Hush Little Baby” may be more familiar. It’s the kind of song that many people recognize, and can sing the first line or two -- but no one remembers the whole thing! We’ve got lyrics and chords for you here, so you can be one of the few who keep singing! (Confession: though Elizabeth sings the whole song in the video, I actually sing a shortened version!)
• Saint-Saens’ “The Swan” is not a lullaby, specifically, but we also included it here because we feel it creates a calming experience for listeners, similar to a lullaby. We also suggest moving your body along with this graceful piece of music. Elizabeth uses a scarf -- and if you were to watch the video without sound, it may look like not a lot is happening (scarf waving in silence is kinda boring!)-- but with sound on you understand the richness of the experience in your ears, mind, and body as the beauty of the music carries you to a peaceful place!

In between lullabies we get a visit from our puppet friend “Presto” the wild donkey who gets the kiddos up and moving, before calming down again for another gentle song. “Adagio” the turtle and “Legato” the swan also make appearances. These musical helpers can also be found in our monthly music subscription courses - more info on those courses here!

Isn’t it amazing how music can affect our mood? We hope you experience a calm, restful moment as you listen to these lullabies. Do you sing lullabies to your children? Which song(s) do you sing? How does music affect your mood and your children’s moods? We’d love to hear in the comments!

Golden Slumbers

G                           C

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes

G                           D7

Smiles await you when you rise

D7                         C

Sleep little baby, do not cry, and

G       C         D7   G

I will sing a lullaby

G                                 C

Cares you know not, therefore sleep,

G                           D7

While over you a watch I'll keep.

D7                              C

Sleep, Pretty darling, do not cry,

G              C        D7    G

And I will sing a lullaby.

Hush Little Baby 

D                           A7

Hush, little baby don't say a word

A7                                      D

Papa's gonna buy you a mocking bird

D                                A7

And if that mocking bird don't sing

A7                                       D

Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring is 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 don't pull

Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over

Papa's gonna buy you a dog called Rover

And if that dog called Rover don't bark

Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart turn round

You’ll still be the sweetest little babe in town