So I like the melody of Hush Little Baby, but I've always been bothered by the words ("Daddy's gonna buy you"). Have you felt the same way? Well, luckily Sylvia Long has. Her version of Hush Little Baby I really like.
I'm going to assume she would be happy to have you sing this to your child instead of the materialistic one, and that you will want to go out and get the book with the pleasant illustrations once you read it. Here's the entire song:
Hush little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to show you a hummingbird.
If that hummingbird should fly,
Mama's going to show you the evening sky.
When the nighttime shadows fall,
Mama's going to hear the crickets call.
While their song drifts from afar,
Mama's going to search for a shooting star.
When that star has dropped from view,
Mama's going to read a book with you.
When that story has been read,
Mama's going to bring your warm bedspread.
If that quilt begins to wear,
Mama's going to find your teddy bear.
If that teddy bear won't hug,
Mama's going to catch you a lightning bug.
If that lightning bug won't glow,
Mama's going to play on her old banjo.
If that banjo's out of tune,
Mama's going to show you the harvest moon.
As that moon drifts through the sky,
Mama's going to sing you a lullaby.
Isn't that great? I once tried to change the lyrics myself when I was rocking Maya to sleep, but mine were too snide, especially when I got to diamond ring. Long's words are so gentle.
The image of rocking a baby to sleep, singing a lullaby is one of those that brings up feelings of warmth, peace, and love. But we all know sometimes bedtime can be anything but peaceful. Maya, like all babies, is so beautiful when she's sleeping. But occasionally she sprawls herself out like a drunken frat boy. Here's a photo of my little cherub sleeping.
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