Lullabies & Bedtime Songs

With approval from the paediatrician we bought JG his very first pillow yesterday. Just a small travel size pillow with a couple washable pillow covers. We have not moved JG out of his crib yet but, we felt that he was ready for a pillow. During the night we've usually found JG sleeping with his blankets rolled up under his head so the pillow should be a fairly natural transition.

JG was a cuddle bug yesterday and now that he is an active toddler I relish in the few precious moments when he just wants to rest his head upon my shoulder. Quiet moments when I would sing lullabies and gently rock him to sleep seem so long ago.

I still sing lullabies (though not quite as often) but, like many parents it took me some time and in many cases research to recall the lyrics to my favorite bedtime tunes.

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.

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.

In the dark blue sky you keep,
Often through my curtain peep,
For you never shut you eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are.

Hush, Little Baby (Mockingbird Song)

Hush, little baby,
Don't say a word,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don't sing,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that Diamond Ring turns to brass,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a looking glass,
And if that looking glass get broke,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull falls over,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's (or Papa's) gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

When You Wish Upon A Star (Lyrics by Ned Washington and Music by Leigh Harline)
(From the Walt Disney movie Pinocchio)

When a star is born
They posses a gift or two
One of them is this
They have the power to make a wish come true.

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you.

If your heart is in your dream
No request is to extreme
When you wish upon a star as dreamers do.

Fate is kind,
She brings to those who love,
The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing.

Like a bolt out of the blue,
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Music and Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen)
(From "The Wizard Of Oz")

**The second verse did not appear in the movie and thus is largely unknown even though it was part of the original score. Occasionally the second verse appears in some theatrical productions**

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
If birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why, can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why oh, why can't I?

Someday I'll wake and rub my eyes
And in that land beyond the skies you'll find me.
I'll be a laughing daffodil
And leave the silly cares that fill
My mind behind me.
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why oh, why can't I?

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
If birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why, can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why oh, why can't I?

Rainbow Connection (Music and Lyrics by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher)
(From "The Muppet Movie")

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers. the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it,
And looks what its done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell,
We know that it's probably magic....

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it,
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

La, la la, La, la la la, La Laa, la la, La, La la laaaaaaa


Return to Pooh Corner (Music and lyrics by Kenny Loggins)

**This has to be one of my favorite songs and one of my favorite children's recordings. I usually buy this cd as a baby gift for any new parents I know. I have also calmed and settled many children including my own from simply singing this song - Thank you Kenny Loggins for writing it!**

Christopher Robin and I walked along
Under branches lit up by the moon
Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore
As our days disappeared all too soon
But I've wandered much further today than I should
And I can't seem to find my way back to the Wood

So help me if you can
I've got to get back
To the House at Pooh Corner by one
You'd be surprised
There's so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh

Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do
Got a honey jar stuck on his nose
He came to me asking for help and advice
And from here no one knows where he goes
So I sent him to ask of the Owl if he's there
How to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear

It's hard to explain how a few precious things
Seem to follow throughout all our lives
After all's said and done I was watching my son
Sleeping there with my bear by his side
So I tucked him in, I kissed him and as I was going
I swear that the old bear whispered
"Boy welcome home"

Believe me if you can
I've finally come back
To the House at Pooh Corner by one
What do you know
There's so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of Christopher Robin
Back to the ways of Christopher Robin
Back to the days of Pooh


All The Pretty Little Ponies (Additional Lyrics by Kenny Loggins and David Pack)

**As I have mentioned above; the cd "Return to Pooh Corner" by Kenny Loggins is well worth the purchase for anyone looking for a truly wonderful collection of quiet bedtime tunes. All The Pretty Little Ponies (or Horses) is another traditional tune for which many people are familiar. I especially like this version of the song.**

Hush a bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little baby.
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies.

In your bed
Momma said
Baby's riding off to dreamland.
One by one
They've begun
Dance and prance for little baby.

Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
Running in the night.
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies.

Can you see the little ponies
Dance before your eyes.
All the pretty little ponies
Will be there when you arise.

Puff The Magic Dragon (Music and Lyrics by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow)

**Although the ending to this song is somewhat sad it is still one of my favorites to sing at bedtime.**

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee,
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff.

CHORUS
Oh! Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee.

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail,
Jackie kept a lookout perch on Puff's gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came,
Pirate ships would low'r their flags when Puff roared out his name.

CHORUS

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant strings make way for other toys.
One great night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow - green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his lifelong friend Puff could not be brave
So Puff that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave.


CHORUS

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes (Music and Lyrics by Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston)
(From the Walt Disney movie "Cinderella")

**A collection of bedtime lullabies would not be complete without a song about dreaming. It took us nearly two years to conceive JG and so this song is particularly dear to my heart.**

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 rainbows 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 feeling small.
Alone in the night you whisper
Thinking no one can hear you at all.
You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you.
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know, tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true.

You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you.
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know, tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true.

No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true.

Stay Awake (Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman)
(From the Walt Disney movie "Mary Poppins")

Stay awake, don't rest your head.
Don't lie down upon your bed.
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don't close your eyes.

Though the world is fast asleep.
Though your pillow's soft and deep.
You're not sleepy as you seem.
Stay awake, don't nod and dream.
Stay awake, don't nod and dream.

Feed The Birds (Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman)
From the Walt Disney movie "Mary Poppins")

**I really love this song and I enjoy singing it to JG. I have friends whom feel the tune is too sombre for a bedtime lullaby but, I disagree so, I have included it here.**

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes.
In her own special way to the people she calls,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs.

"Come feed the little birds, show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
Their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."

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.

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares.
Although you can't see it, you know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares.

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she's calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."

Baby Mine (Music and Lyrics by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington)
From the Walt Disney movie "Dumbo"

Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine.

Little one when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine.

If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The right to hold you

From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine.

Brahms`Lullaby - Lullaby and Good Night (Music by Johannes Brahms)

**The original lyrics to Brahms Lullaby are in German and thus, the iambic pentameter and poetic rhyme is often lost when the words are directly translated into English. There are several popular English verses that have been written over the last century to the same tune and many of the more familiar verses begin with Lullaby and good night...**

Lullaby, and good night,
With pink roses bedight,
With lilies o'erspread,
Is my baby's sweet head.
Lay you down now, and rest,
May your slumber be blessed!
Lay you down now, and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed!

Lullaby, and good night,
You're 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.

Lullaby, and sleep tight.
Hush! My darling is sleeping,
On his sheets white as cream,
With his head full of dreams.
When the sky's bright with dawn,
He will wake in the morning.
When noontide warms the world,
He will frolic in the sun.

Ordinary Miracle (Music and Lyrics by Sarah McLachlan)

It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow
Don't need to teach a seed to grow
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?
Like everytime a raindrop falls
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don't throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
'Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle

It seems so exceptional
That things work out after all
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

It's just another
Ordinary miracle today