Hush, Little Baby

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Hush, Little Baby Image

“Hush, Little Baby” is a traditional lullaby and one of the most popular and enduring songs for babies and kids, thought to have been written in the Southern United States. Like most folk songs, the author and date of origin are unknown. The lyrics promise all kinds of rewards to the child if he or she is quiet. The simple structure allows more verses to be added ad lib.

 

"Hush, Little Baby" Lyrics


There are several versions of the song, but the most common lyrics are:

Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass is broke,
Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat,

And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and a bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and a cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

Mama is sometimes substituted by Papa, Dada, etc. according to the singer’s relation to the child or personal preference. There are simple revisions to the lyrics, but all remain true to the promise of rewards for being quiet.

"Hush, Little Baby" Chords


D                 A
Hush little baby, don't say a word,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

D                  A
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

D                   A
And if that diamond ring turns to brass,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass.

D                   A
And if that looking glass gets broke,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat.

D                 A
And if that billy goat won't pull,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.

D                    A
And if that cart and bull turn over,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

D                     A
And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
A                      D
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart.

D                     A
And if that horse and cart fall down,
A                                   D
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town!

"Hush, Little Baby" Youtube Videos


 

More Nursery Rhymes:

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

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“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is a popular English lullaby. The lyrics are from an early 19th-century English poem by Jane Taylor, “The Star”. The poem, which is in couplet form, was first published in 1806 in Rhymes for the Nursery, a collection of poems by Taylor and her sister Ann.

A Sailor Went to Sea

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“A Sailor Went to Sea” is a children’s nursery rhyme, clapping game and jump-rope rhyme. It was initially called “My Father Went to Sea”, before becoming more widely known as “A Sailor Went to Sea”.