photo by Orit Harpaz

Incorporate lullabies into your family routine, for sleep time and mellow time. Don’t worry that you “can’t sing.” Your child probably prefers your voice to all others.

When we sing these lullabies in class, sing along, and don’t have expectations about how your child will experience the songs. Some children will want to snuggle or pretend to sleep. For others, a more physical activity is what comes naturally. Don’t hesitate to join your child in a slow dance or a big “row-your-boat” sway on the floor.

Buckeye Jim

traditional

Sung by Randy Kaplan
“Buckeye Jim” sheet music download

LYRICS

Verse 1:
Way up yonder in the sky
A blue-bird lived in a jay bird’s eye
Buckeye Jim, you can’t go
Go weave and spin, you can’t go
Buckeye Jim

Verse 2:
Way up yonder above the moon
A blue-jay nests in a silver spoon
Buckeye Jim, you can’t go
Go weave and spin, you can’t go
Buckeye Jim

Doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo

Verse 3:
Way down yonder in a hollow log
A red bird danced with a green bullfrog
Buckeye Jim, you can’t go
Go weave and spin, you can’t go
Buckeye Jim

The Rock-a-By Lady

lyrics excerpted from the poem by Eugene Field;
melody by Anne Kelly-Saxenmeyer

Sung by Jennifer Vitanzo
“The Rock-a-By Lady” sheet music downlaod

LYRICS

Verse 1:
The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby Street
Comes stealing, comes creeping
The poppies they hang from her head to her feet
And each hath a dream that is tiny and fleet

Verse 2:
The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street
Comes stealing, comes creeping
She brings her poppies to you, my sweet
When she finds you sleeping

Repeat verse 2

The North Wind Doth Blow

traditional

Sung by Kristin Mooney
“The North Wind Doth Blow” sheet music download

LYRICS

The north wind doth blow
And we shall have snow
And what will poor robin do then
Poor thing
He’ll sit in the barn
And keep himself warm
And hide his head under his wing
Poor thing

Ooo, ooo, ooo
Ooo, ooo, ooo
Ooo, ooo, ooo
Ooo, ooo, ooo

Repeat verse