Lullabies always bring back warm and cozy memories, don't they? Listening to your mother or father singing a sweet song as you fall asleep brings to mind how safe you felt. Now you're ready to pass these memories on to your little wonder.
Lullabies have come in handy for parents across generations, cultures, and traditions, and remain one the best ways to lull your little one to sleep.Â
Not only do lullabies calm your baby, but they also stimulate language and cognitive development, improve memory and decrease stress levels, and can strengthen the emotional bond between you and your child. But why do they work so well?
According to experts, the rhythmic, harmonious and repetitive nature of lullabies is very relaxing for children. Some experts even suggest parents begin singing their favourite songs while their baby is still in utero to familiarize them with the soothing sounds before birth.
And while you don't need the voice of an angel to create warm memories for your child, the most effective lullaby are simple ones that convey the love and warmth you have for your baby.
Here are a few key factors to remember when choosing a few go-to lullabies:
Choose a lullaby you enjoy: once you find a song that your child loves, you'll likely be singing it very often, so it's best to choose the one you enjoy singing.Â
Choose a simple tune: the best lullabies are simple because they are meant to be soothing and simulate the womb's environment.
Consider the meaning behind the lullaby: while your baby likely won't understand your lullabies' lyrics at first, over time, the words may become the first ones they learn. So it's best to pick a lullaby that conveys a meaning you truly believe in.Â
Are you searching for the best soothers to slow down your baby? We've rounded up ten classic lullabies you can sing to your baby before bedtime. Enjoy!
10 Classic Lullabies & Lyrics for Babies
Lullaby #1: Hush, Little Baby
VIDEO
Lulla-lulla-lullaby
Hush, little baby don't youHush, little baby don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mocking bird
And if that mocking bird don't sing
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 (be the sweetest little babe)
Still be the sweetest little babe in town
La, la, la, la, la, la Hush, little baby don't you cry...
Lullaby #2: You Are My Sunshine
VIDEO
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But 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 gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same.
But if you leave me and love another,
You'll regret it all some day:
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
You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between.
But not you've left me and love another;
You have shattered all of my dreams:
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
In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me
When I awake my poor heart pains.
So when you come back and make me happy
I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame.
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
Lullaby #3: Rock a Bye Baby
VIDEO
Rock-a-bye baby
on the tree top.
When the wind blows
the cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
the cradle will fall.
And down will come Baby,
Cradle and all.
Lullaby #4: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
VIDEO
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
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
Lullaby #5: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
VIDEO
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of
Once in a lullaby, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true-ooh-ooh
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that's where
You'll find me, oh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can't I? I
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where…
Lullaby #6: Cradle Song / Brahm's Song
VIDEO
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.
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed.
Lullaby and good night, 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.
Lullaby #7: A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes
VIDEO
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
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true
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
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true
Lullaby #8: Itsy Bitsy Spider
VIDEO
The itsy bitsy spider
Went up the water spout
Down came the rain and
Washed the spider out
Out came the sun
And dried up all the rain
Now the itsy bitsy spider
Went up the spout again
Repeat
Lullaby #9: Mary Had a Little Lamb
VIDEO
Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went
Mary went, Mary went
Everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go
He followed her to school one day
School one day, school one day
He followed her to school one day
Which was against the rule
It made the children laugh and play
Laugh and play, laugh and play
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school
And so the teacher turned him out
Turned him out, turned him out
And so the teacher turned him out
But still he lingered near
And waited patiently
Patiently, patiently
And wai-aited patiently
Til Mary did appear
Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went
Mary went, Mary went
Everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go
Lullaby #10: Baa Baa Black Sheep
VIDEO
Baa, baa, black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir
Three bags full
One for the master
And one for the dame
One for the little boy
Who lives down the lane
Baa, baa, black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir
Three bags full
Baa, baa, black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir
Three bags full
One for the master
And one for the dame
One for the little boy
Who lives down the lane
Baa, baa, black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir
Three bags full