Bringing a little one into the world is a beautiful, magical experience. As your baby grows up, you will often find yourself singing lullabies and goodnight songs to them to help them drift off to sleep. But have you ever stopped to consider what the lyrics of these timeless classics might mean? Let’s take a look at some popular goodnight songs and lullabies and explore their hidden meanings.
Hush Little Baby Don’t Say a Word
This classic is an age-old favorite that has been around for centuries. The song refers to all the wonderful gifts that are promised to “hush little baby” in order to prevent them from crying. Many experts believe that this song is actually about being able to buy one’s way out of trouble. A lesson we could all benefit from learning!
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The beloved children’s rhyme “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is thought by many to be about death and mortality. If you think about it, stars are often associated with those who have passed away. So it makes sense why this would be interpreted as such. It also serves as a reminder that life on Earth is fleeting, so make sure you make the most of each day!
Rock-A-Bye Baby On The Tree Top
This traditionally soothing song has an interesting backstory. It was originally written in 1765 during the Seven Years War between Britain and France,. When British troops were ordered by King George II to attack French forces in North America. This lullaby is believed to be about those soldiers, hence why it ends with the line “when down will come baby cradled in the tree top”—alluding to how fragile life can be during war time.
Goodnight My Child, Be Still and Sleep Well
This is a particularly popular line found in many different lullabies. It can be traced back to a 17th century Scottish ballad called “My Son David” which tells the story of a mother’s grief at losing her son in battle. By singing this line, mothers were able to express their love and hope for their children. By wishing them peace in death just as they did for their lost son.
The Crooked Sixpence In Your Pocket
This is another line found in numerous traditional lullabies. It dates back to a 16th century British folk song about a sailor who looks for his lover on shore. But can’t find her because she has been sent away. The sixpence was a coin given by sailors as tokens of luck, so when sung by mothers. It was likely meant as a wish for good luck in life for their children.
Conclusion:
Lullabies and goodnight songs have been passed down through generations for centuries, but they don’t always have happy stories behind them as we discovered today! For moms everywhere, understanding these deeper meanings can give us an even greater appreciation for these timeless classics – while also reminding us all of our own fragility here on Earth! After all, there’s no better way than singing a sweet lullaby or goodnight song with your little ones before they drift off into dreamland!
