Lyrics for the Lullaby: The First Steps Podcast
Series 1
Episode One: Goodnight baby. Traditional.
Goodnight baby.
Goodnight baby.
Goodnight baby.
It's time to go to sleep
Episode Two: Soualle (good night). Traditional - Congo
Soualle, soualle
Soualle, soualle
Soualle, soualle
Soualle, soualle
Soualle, soualle
Soualle, soualle
Episode Three: E Moe Pepe (Sleep now baby). Traditional Maori (New Zealand)
E moe pepe
E moe ra
E moe pepe
E moe ra
Hoki mai mama (papa) apopo
Hoki mai mama (papa) apopo
Translation:
Sleep now baby, go to sleep
I will see you in the morning, Mama (Papa)
Episode Four: Hushabye, Hushabye. Traditional. Origin unknown - assumed North America
Hushabye, hushabye
Little baby, little baby
Don't you cry.
Stars are high in the sky
Little baby, little baby
Don't you cry.
Birds and beast have all gone to rest
Go to sleep 'cos mammy knows best.
Hushabye, hushabye
Little baby, little baby
Don't you cry.
Episode Five: All The Pretty Little Horses. Traditional. North America
Hushabye, don't you cry
Go to sleep, my little baby.
When you wake, you shall have
All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays,
Dapples and greys,
Dancing through the sky.
When you wake you shall have
All the pretty little horses.
Episode Six: An Irish Lullaby. Words and music James Royce Shannon
Over in Killarney
Many years ago
My mother sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good old Irish way,
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.
Toora-loora-looral
Toora-loora-li
Toora-loora-looral
Hush now don't you cry.
Toora-loora-looral
Toora-loora-li
Toora-loora-looral
That's an Irish lullaby
Episode Eight: Spooky Men's Chorale
Tell Me Why
Tell me why the ivy twines.
Tell me why the stars do shine.
Tell me why the sea's so blue.
Tell me why I love you.
Because God made the ivy to twine.
Because God made the stars to shine.
Because God made the sea so blue.
Because God made you, I love you.
Sleep Dear Children (Welsh)
Or, Tonight Tonight.
Heno, heno, hen blant bach
Heno, heno, hen blant bach,
Dime, dime, dime hen blant bach
Dime, dime, dime hen blant bach.
Gwely, gwely hen blant bach
Gwely, gwely hen blant bach
Dime, dime, dime hen blant bach
Dime, dime, dime hen blant bach.
Sleep My Beautiful Child (Welsh)
Cysga di fy mhlentyn tlws
Cysga di fy mhlentyn tlws
Cysga di fy mhlentyn tlws
Cei gysgu tan y bore
Cei gysgu tan y bore.
Episode Nine: Rounds - The River is Flowing (trad) and Sunlight is Fading (Suzann Frisk)
The River is Flowing
The river is flowing
Flowing and growing
The river is flowing
Down to sea.
Mother, she'll carry me
A child I will always be.
Mother, she'll carry me
Down to the sea.
Sunlight is Fading
Sunlight is fading,
Night is awake.
Sleep in my arms
And rest until day.
Episode Ten: Inanay (Traditional) from Lou Bennett (TIDDAS)
Inanay gupu wana
Inanay gupu wana
Ay au au oola
Oola oola, oola ay yippy ay ippy ay
Goo wana, goo wana
Goo wana, goo wana, goo wah, choo
Goo wana, goo wana
Goo wana, goo wana, goo wah, choo.
Episode Eleven: Rocking Carol
Gentle baby, sweetly sleep
Do not cry.
We will sing a lullaby.
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
Feel these arms to keep you warm
Snugly round your tiny form.
Episode Twelve: Soolah (Rachel Hore)
Soolah soolye-ah
Soolah soolye-ah
Soolah soolye-ah
Hey ya
Christmas Episode: Away in a Manger (trad). Arr. James R Murray
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the brigh sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love thee Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
Episode Fourteen: Little Locket of Long Ago (Harry Woods and Joe Burke)
Dear little locket of long ago.
So sweet, so old fashioned, like calico.
I've kept you with me for all these years.
You are the sweetest of my souvenirs.
One tiny picture you hold inside
Brings millions of memories to me.
How much I love you you'll never know,
Little locket of long ago.
Episode Fifteen: Baba Waian (Trad. Torres Strait)
Ba-ba Wai-an Ni-nu Mai-gi Mari
Ba-ba Wai-an Ni-nu Mai-gi An-ge-la.
Ngoel-mu-ni a Kai-mel
I-nub Ku-bil nu.
I-nub Ku-bil nu Ku-ru-si-ka goi-ga.
Episode Sixteen: Sleep On. Music by Paul Mealor. Lyrics by Brendan Graham
The world out there -
The heavens all - to sleep,
And I am here,
A watch with you to keep.
Sleep on... sleep on... sleep deep and sleep strong
Sleep on... sleep on... the road of life is long
I whisper a prayer, may your path be clear...
Sleep on...
May you be wise,
In answer to your call,
May you still rise,
If ever you should fall.
Sleep on... sleep on... sleep deep and sleep strong
Sleep on... sleep on... the road of life is long
I whisper a prayer, may your path be clear...
Sleep on... sleep on... sleep on!
Episode Eighteen: Nangari Lullaby (Dharug Dalang language). Aunty Jacinta Tobin
In Language:
Nangari, nangari, gurng nung mei
Nangari, nangari, gurng nung mei
Murri nangami nyndi
Pemul nangami warada, bulla
Phonetic pronunciation:
Nun-ga-ree, nun-ga-ree, goo-rung nunga mee-ah
Nun-ga-ree, nun-ga-ree, goo-rung nunga mee-ah
Murray nun-ga-mee nyin-dee
(wawawawawawawa)
Pear-mul nunga-mee wah-ra-dah. Boo-lah
English verse:
Sleep, sleep, go to sleep
Time for baby to close its eyes
Sleep, sleep, go to sleep
Dreamtime's only for closing eyes.
Great dreams await, there for you.
Dream the world beautiful too.
English translation:
Sleep, sleep. Go to sleep baby on the breast.
Close your eyes.
Sleep, sleep. Go to sleep baby on the breast.
Close your eyes.
Great dreams await there for you
Earth dreaming, beautiful too.
If you'd ever like to be part of one of the Deerubin Shores singing workshops, go to this link https://rachelhore.com/big-sing-in-the-desert/deerubbin/
Episode Nineteen: Hushabye Mountain. Written by Richard M Sherman, Robert Sherman and Robert B Sherman from the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er Lullabye Bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting,
Waiting to sail your worries away.
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay.
The winds of night so softly are sighing
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain.
Wave goodbye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullabye Bay.
Episode Twenty: Ho Ho Watanay - a traditional lullaby from the Iroquois people of Quebec, Canada
Ho ho watanay
Ho ho watanay
Ho ho watanay
Ki o kee na
Ki o kee na
Do do mon petit
Do do mon petit
Do do mon petit
Et bonne nuit
Et bonne nuit
Sleep, sleep little one
Sleep, sleep little one
Sleep, sleep little one
Now go to sleep
Now go to sleep.
Episode Twenty-one: The Gartan Mother's Lullaby - a traditional lullaby from County Donegal in Ireland. Music by Herbert Hughes. Lyrics Joseph Campbell (Seosamh Mac Cathmhaoil)
Sleep oh babe, for the red bee hums the silent twilight's fall,
Aoibheall (Ee-val) from the grey rock comes, to wrap the world in thrall.
A leanbhan (LYAN-uh-van) oh, my child, my joy, my love, my heart's desire,
The crickets sing you lullaby, beside the dying fire.
Dusk is drawn and the Green Man's thorn is wreathed in rings of fog,
Siabhra (shee-vra) sails his boat till morn, upon the Starry bog.
A leanbhan (LYAN-uh-van) oh, the pale half-moon hath brimmed her cusp in dew,
And weeps to hear the sad sleep-tune, I sing, oh love, to you.
Episode Twenty-two: Lullaby for Henry - words and music by Marie van Gend
Hush little baby and close your eyes.
The Angels are watching above
And grant you a shining Golden Cloak
Woven from starlight and love
This cloak will protect you and fill your dreams
With music and colour and light.
So hush little baby and close your eyes.
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight.
Episode Twenty-three: Arapaho Lullaby - traditional sleep song from the Arapaho people of Montana
Che-da-e na-ka-hu-ka-hu, be-he-be.
E be-he-be
Na-ka-hu-ka-hu, be-he-be
Be be-he be-he-be.
Go to sleep, baby dear, slumber, baby sleep
Sleep, baby sleep
Baby dear, slumber, baby sleep
Sleep, sleep, baby sleep.
Series 2
Episode One: Dalmatian Cradle Song. Transcribed from a song sung by a woman on the Dalmatian Coast, arranged by Hugh S Roberton with lyrics by P.A. Grand
Hush, my babe, my little one. Thy father sails the deep;
But warm thy bed is, pretty one. Lie still my dear and sleep
Cold the wind is blowing. Angry is the sea;
Guard ye saints his going, and bring him back to me.
Hush, my babe, my little one. Thy father sails the deep;
But warm thy bed is, pretty one. Lie still my dear and sleep.
When the morn shall break again, over hill and lea;
Then my love shall wake again, and dance on daddy's knee.
Hush, my babe, my little one. Thy father sails the deep;
But warm thy bed is, pretty one. Lie still my dear and sleep
Episode Two: Thula Baba Thula Sana (Traditional African Lullaby - South Africa) Zulu
Zulu Lyrics
Pronunciation:
Thula – two-la
Ekuseni – egg-oo-sen-ee
Zi-holel’u -eh-hole-yeh-loo
Zim-khan – em-khine
Xa – a click sound
Thula thul, thula baba, thula sana,
Tul’ubab ‘uzobuya ek(g)useni
Thula thul, thula baba, thula sana,
Tul’ubab ‘uzobuya ekuseni
Kukh’in khan-yezi, zi-holel u (eh-hole-yeh-loo) baba,
Zim-khan (em-khine) yi-sela indlel’e ziyak-haya,
Sobe sik hona xa bonke be-shoyo,
Be-thi bu-yela u-bu-ye le khaya,
Thula thula thula sana,
Thula thula san-a wahn
Thula thula thula sana,
Thula thula san a wahn
English Translation
Keep quiet my child
Keep quiet my baby
Be quiet, daddy will be home by dawn
There’s a star that will lead him home
The star will brighten his way home
The hills and stones are still the same my love
My life has changed, yes my life has changed
The children grow but you don’t know my love
The children grew but you don’t see them grow
Episode Three: Brahm's Lullaby by Johannes Brahms. Lyrics Karpman.
Lullaby and good night, in the sky stars are bright
May the moons silvery beams bring you sweet dreams.
Close your eyes now and rest. May these hours be blessed
‘Til the sky's bright with dawn, when you wake with a yawn
Lullaby and good night, you are mother’s delight
I’ll protect you from harm and you’ll wake in my arms
Sleepyhead, close your eyes, for I’m right beside you
Guardian angels are near, so sleep without fear
Lullaby and good night with roses bedight
Lilies o'er head. Lay thee down in thy bed
Lullaby and good night, you are mother’s delight
I’ll protect you from harm and you’ll wake in my arms
Lullaby and sleep tight, my darling’s sleeping
On sheets white as cream with a head full of dreams.
Sleepyhead, close your eyes I’m right beside you
Lay thee down now and rest, may your slumber be blessed
Go to sleep, little one, think of puppies and kittens
Go to sleep, little one, think of butterflies in spring
Go to sleep, little one, think of sunny bright mornings
Hush darling one. Sleep through the night
Sleep through the night
Sleep through the night
Episode Four: Humming lullaby from Pan's Labyrinth by Javier Navarette
Episode Five: Midwife's Lullaby by Marie van Gend
Gentle baby, precious child
Welcome to my arms.
They’re here for you to keep you warm
And shield you from all harm.
Your parents are so proud, but maybe
Just a little scared.
Don’t worry, I’ll be there for them.
They’ll know the load is shared.
I wish you and your parents all the
Joy a new life brings.
So, hush you soft and precious child.
Sleep gently as I sing.
Episode Six: The Valley Below by Blackbird Songwriting
The Valley Below
Blackbird Songwriting
Part 1
Slowly she opens the back door
and looks out into the night
the pillar of strength she once was
lays crumbling by her side
looking down at her trembling hands
the emptiness she feels inside
she walks on through the back door
into the cold and lonely night
Searching for a place
where she can bear a heavy load
following her empty heart
down to the valley below
Part 2
Another woman, alone in her castle
frightened by the thoughts in her mind
she’s hiding in the backroom
from the sounds of her own baby’s cry
She’s digging a hole
A place she can hide in, while she wishes her life away
They’re better off without me
They don’t need me anyway
The perfect illusion of motherhood
has left her with no place to go
She lays down her defenses
Falls away to the valley below
Part 3
She holds a secret that nobody knows
master of her own disguise
She’s making sure that nobody sees the sadness behind her eyes.
But two little eyes, they see it all
Watching her out in the rain
One little voice that’s saying
‘Mummies sad and she’s crying again’
Losing the strength for pretending
She’s found herself so alone
But she too ashamed to say that she’s been
down to the valley below.
Bridge
Losing all connection, a fading recognition of herself
She can’t feel her baby
And it hurts
And it’s her against the world
You’re not supposed to cry
You’re not supposed to fall
You’re not supposed to break down at all
Part 4
Oh Mama
Can you feel the shifting of the wind Rest yourself
Can you feel the morning
Find comfort
The road your on,
Many mothers have traveled before
When women come together
They bring each other out of the cold
Part 5
Slowly she opens the back door A peacefulness she feels inside
Looking down at her beautiful baby
A woman by her side
In a time when she needed it most, her strength had fallen away
In her pain, she had found connection
Something lost, something gained
Searching for a place
Where she could share her heavy load
Go and tell your story
And know that you’re not alone Mothers, find each other
Down in the valley below