Baby lullabies have been a timeless tool for calming fussy infants and lulling them into restful slumber. If you’re searching for the perfect baby lullabies for babies to go to sleep, this guide is for you.
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What Are Baby Lullabies?
The Tradition Behind Baby Lullabies Songs
Baby lullabies are gentle melodies traditionally sung or played to infants to help them relax and fall asleep. These songs often carry a rhythmic flow and comforting tone, making them ideal for bedtime routines. Cultures worldwide have baby lullabies passed down through generations, each with its own unique charm and rhythm.
Benefits of Baby Lullabies Music
- Promotes Better Sleep: Soft baby lullabies create a calming environment.
- Builds Emotional Connection: Singing to your baby strengthens your bond.
- Stimulates Language Development: Repetitive baby lullabies lyrics help infants recognize sounds and speech patterns.
Popular English Baby Lullabies with Lyrics & Background
Below is a numbered list of popular baby lullabies with their background and lyrics.
- “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Background: Originating in the 19th century, this most famous of all English baby lullabies is based on a poem by Jane Taylor and is one of the most beloved baby lullabies worldwide.
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!”
- “Hush Little Baby”
Background: One of traditional American baby lullabies that offers sweet promises to calm a baby.
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…”
- “Rock-a-Bye Baby”
Background: First published in the 18th century, this classic is known for its rocking rhythm mimicking a cradle.
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.”
- “Brahms’ Lullaby (Lullaby and Good Night)”
Background: Written by Johannes Brahms in 1868, this German-origin lullaby is among the most recorded baby lullabies.
Lyrics:
“Lullaby, and good night,
With roses bedight,
With lilies o’er spread,
Is baby’s wee bed.
Lay thee down now and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed.”
- “Golden Slumbers”
Background: Based on a 17th-century poem by Thomas Dekker, it gained popularity again through The Beatles’ adaptation.
Lyrics:
“Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty baby, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.”
- “Sleep, Baby, Sleep”
Background: A lullaby with German roots known for its repetitive, calming melody.
Lyrics:
“Sleep, baby, sleep,
Thy father tends the sheep,
Thy mother shakes the dreamland tree,
And from it fall sweet dreams for thee.
Sleep, baby, sleep.”
- “All the Pretty Horses”
Background: A traditional American lullaby, possibly of African-American origin. It’s known for its gentle rhythm and dreamlike imagery.
Lyrics:
“Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses…”
- “You Are My Sunshine”
Background: Originally a country song, it’s often sung softly to babies and children as a lullaby.
Lyrics:
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you,
Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
- “Are You Sleeping (Frère Jacques)”
Background: A French nursery rhyme adapted into English. Often sung in rounds to teach musical harmony.
Lyrics:
“Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,
Brother John? Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing,
Ding, ding, dong. Ding, ding, dong.”
- “Go to Sleep My Baby”
Background: A gentle English lullaby that evokes imagery of angels watching over a sleeping child.
Lyrics:
“Go to sleep my baby, close your pretty eyes,
Angels up above you, peering at you dearly from the skies.”
- “Baby Mine”
Background: Originally featured in Disney’s Dumbo (1941), this lullaby is known for its emotional tenderness and soft melody.
Lyrics:
“Baby mine, don’t you cry,
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part, baby of mine.”
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Background: Made famous by The Wizard of Oz, it’s a gentle, hopeful song that’s often used as a lullaby for its dreamy tone.
Lyrics:
“Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby…”
- “Edelweiss”
Background: From The Sound of Music, this song is not a traditional lullaby but is often used for bedtime because of its peaceful tone.
Lyrics:
“Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me.
Small and white, clean and bright, you look happy to meet me…”
- “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”
Background: Featured in Disney’s Cinderella, this gentle ballad encourages dreams and hope, making it a lovely choice for a bedtime song.
Lyrics:
“A dream is a wish your heart makes,
When you’re fast asleep.
In dreams you will lose your heartaches,
Whatever you wish for, you keep.”
- “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)”
Background: Written by Billy Joel for his daughter, this modern lullaby is a heartfelt message of love and reassurance.
Lyrics:
“Goodnight, my angel, time to close your eyes,
And save these questions for another day.
I think I know what you’ve been asking me,
I think you know the truth I’ve tried to say.”
- “When You Wish Upon a Star”
Background: Originally from Disney’s Pinocchio, this gentle lullaby has become a universal song of hope and dreams.
Lyrics:
“When you wish upon a star,
Makes no difference who you are.
Anything your heart desires,
Will come to you.”
- “Stay Awake”
Background: From Disney’s Mary Poppins, this song ironically encourages staying awake while using a lullaby tone to make the listener sleepy.
Lyrics:
“Stay awake, don’t rest your head,
Don’t lie down upon your bed.
Though the moon drifts in the skies,
Stay awake, don’t close your eyes.”
- “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
Background: A traditional Scottish folk song adapted into a lullaby with a smooth, swaying rhythm.
Lyrics:
“My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
My Bonnie lies over the sea,
My Bonnie lies over the ocean,
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me.”
- “Over the Hills and Far Away”
Background: A traditional English lullaby that dates back centuries. Its soothing repetition makes it a calming bedtime song.
Lyrics:
“Over the hills and far away,
Mother duck said “quack, quack, quack,”
But only four little ducks came back.”
- “Lavender’s Blue”
Background: A 17th-century English folk song, revived as a lullaby and featured in Disney’s Cinderella (2015).
Lyrics:
“Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green,
When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen.
Call up your men, dilly dilly, set them to work,
Some to the plough, dilly dilly, some to the fork.”
- “Toora Loora Loora”
Background: An Irish-American lullaby made popular by Bing Crosby in Going My Way (1944).
Lyrics:
“Toora loora loora, toora loora li,
Toora loora loora, hush now don’t you cry.
Toora loora loora, toora loora li,
Toora loora loora, that’s an Irish lullaby.”
- “All Through the Night”
Background: A traditional Welsh lullaby often sung in English, known for its peaceful and timeless melody.
Lyrics:
“Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,
All through the night.
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night.”
- “Michael Row the Boat Ashore”
Background: A classic African-American spiritual that is often adapted into a gentle lullaby.
Lyrics:
“Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah,
Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah.”
- “Scarborough Fair”
Background: A traditional English ballad often sung in a lullaby style for its poetic and calming lyrics.
Lyrics:
“Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there,
She once was a true love of mine.”
- “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
Background: An African-American spiritual that’s often adapted into baby lullabies for its slow, soothing melody.
Lyrics:
“Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.”
- “Kumbaya”
Background: A spiritual song that became popular in folk and children’s music. Its simple refrain makes it calming and easy to sing.
Lyrics:
“Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya,
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya,
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya,
Oh Lord, kumbaya.”
- “Oh Shenandoah”
Background: A classic American folk song often used as a lullaby due to its flowing rhythm and emotional lyrics.
Lyrics:
“Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,
Away, you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,
Away, I’m bound away, ‘cross the wide Missouri.”
- “Down in the Valley”
Background: Also known as “Birmingham Jail,” this American folk song has been adapted into a soft lullaby for its slow, rhythmic melody.
Lyrics:
“Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.”
- “This Little Light of Mine”
Background: A gospel song that’s often sung to children as a lullaby or bedtime affirmation of self-worth and light.
Lyrics:
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
- “Home on the Range”
Background: A classic American Western folk tune, often used as a lullaby for its calm and nostalgic imagery.
Lyrics:
“Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play.
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.”
- “Red River Valley”
Background: A North American folk song with roots in the 19th century, often sung to soothe babies with its gentle rhythm and longing lyrics.
Lyrics:
“From this valley they say you are going,
We shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile.
For they say you are taking the sunshine,
That has brightened our pathway awhile.”
- “I See the Moon”
Background: A sweet, short lullaby that focuses on the soft image of the moon watching over us.
Lyrics:
“I see the moon and the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me.”
- “The Water is Wide”
Background: A traditional folk song from the British Isles, adapted into a gentle lullaby for its soft and reflective melody.
Lyrics:
“The water is wide, I cannot cross o’er,
And neither have I wings to fly.
Give me a boat that can carry two,
And both shall row, my love and I.”
- “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir”
Background: A lively folk tune often sung to children. It can be softened into a bedtime song through a slow, melodic rendition.
Lyrics:
“All God’s critters got a place in the choir,
Some sing low, some sing higher.
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire,
And some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got now.”
- “Danny Boy”
Background: A traditional Irish ballad with soft, emotional tones that lend themselves to a soothing lullaby version.
Lyrics:
“Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.”
The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling,
It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.
- “Loch Lomond”
Background: A Scottish folk song that, when sung slowly, can be deeply comforting and melodic.
Lyrics:
“By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.”
- “Sweet and Low”
Background: A Victorian-era lullaby by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, often set to gentle music.
Lyrics:
“Sweet and low, sweet and low,
Wind of the western sea,
Low, low, breathe and blow,
Wind of the western sea.”
- “Hush-a-Bye”
Background: Sometimes used interchangeably with “Rock-a-Bye Baby,” this older version has its own lyrics and gentle rocking rhythm.
Lyrics:
“Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby.
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses.”
- “All Night, All Day”
Background: A spiritual-inspired lullaby featuring angels watching over, providing comfort and peace.
Lyrics:
“All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me.”
- “Evening Prayer (from Hansel and Gretel)”
Background: From the opera Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, this piece is often adapted as a bedtime duet.
Lyrics:
“When at night I go to sleep,
Fourteen angels watch do keep,
Two my head are guarding,
Two my feet are guiding…”
- “Little Boy Blue”
Background: Based on the nursery rhyme by Eugene Field, this song version is gentle and reflective.
Lyrics:
“The little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and staunch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket moulds in his hands.”
- “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod”
Background: A lullaby poem by Eugene Field that has been set to music many times, offering a dreamy voyage to the stars.
Lyrics:
“Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe—
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.”
- “Skye Boat Song”
Background: A Scottish folk tune that has a rocking motion and a calming nautical theme, making it a beautiful lullaby.
Lyrics:
“Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that’s born to be king
Over the sea to Skye.”
- “Feed the Birds”
Background: From Disney’s Mary Poppins, this melancholic and soft lullaby encourages kindness through simple acts.
Lyrics:
“Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.
Feed the birds, that’s what she cries,
While overhead, her birds fill the skies.”
- “The Ash Grove”
Background: A traditional Welsh folk song, its flowing melody makes it ideal for a bedtime lullaby.
Lyrics:
“Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander,
When twilight is fading I pensively roam,
Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander,
Amid the dark spaces of that lonely ash grove.”
- “Baa Baa Black Sheep”
Background: A classic English nursery rhyme often used as a lullaby for its rhythmic cadence and repetition.
Lyrics:
“Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
One for the master, one for the dame,
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.”
- “Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)”
Background: A Victorian-era song with a lighthearted melody, often softened into a lullaby form.
Lyrics:
“Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do,
I’m half crazy all for the love of you.
It won’t be a stylish marriage,
I can’t afford a carriage…”
- “Polly Put the Kettle On”
Background: A traditional English nursery rhyme with a gentle rhythm suitable for bedtime routines.
Lyrics:
“Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the kettle on,
Polly put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea.”
- “Three Little Kittens”
Background: A playful nursery rhyme turned lullaby that tells the story of kittens learning responsibility, often sung in a calming tone.
Lyrics:
“Three little kittens, they lost their mittens,
And they began to cry,”
“Oh mother dear, we sadly fear
Our mittens we have lost.”
- “Star Light, Star Bright”
Background: A short and sweet traditional English nursery rhyme that doubles as a wishful lullaby.
Lyrics:
“Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.”
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