10 Lullabies to Soothe Your Little Wonder to Sleep

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. 

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. 
  • 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. 

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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
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