Go to Sleepy Little Baby

Some of my fondest memories as a child are visiting my grandparents.  I remember staying the night at their house almost every weekend.  I would “forget” my pajamas just so I could sleep in my grandpa’s XL t-shirts which fit me like an oversized dress.  My grandma was, and still is, an awesome cook.  She always made a grand breakfast and I remember drinking coffee just because my grandpa did.  Although it was likely milk and sugar with a splash of coffee!  Probably my most favorite part of my visit is when my grandmother would sing me to sleep.  My favorite song she would sing was “Down in the Valley.”

Many parents don’t sing to their children because they think their voice isn’t “good enough.”  Studies have shown that kids don’t care!  There’s a special bond or connection that is made between parent and child.  So if you don’t sing to your child- you should start!  Believe me, they will think you’re amazing.

Before I had my own child, I was excited to sing lullabies to my future children.  As a music teacher I often finished a class by singing a lullaby to my students as a way to calm them down from an active class time.  They would ask for some songs over and over again!  I had a list in my head of my favorites and what I knew I would sing as a mom. I added to the list over the years as I heard new songs that I loved. When I become pregnant I wrote that list down (and sang many songs to my belly!).  Some songs on my list are folk songs, some are pop songs, some are from movies and maybe you’ve heard them.   Maybe you’ll find a new favorite you’ll want to sing to your child.  Here are my absolute favorites:

Click on the song title to view lyrics or a video

Down in the Valley

All the Pretty Little Horses

Stay Awake (from Mary Poppins)

Goodnight My Angel (written by Billy Joel- I’ve also heard Celine Dion sing it)

You Belong to Me (originally sung by two sister in the 1950s, sung in the movie “The Jerk”)

These last three songs are from the movie Five Pennies.  They can be sung alone, or in any combination together. (I can’t WAIT until my daughter can sing so we can all sing together!)

Five Pennies

Lullaby in Ragtime/Goodnight

What’s your favorite lullaby?  Do you have a special memory attached to it?