Lyrics for the Lullaby: The First Steps Podcast

Series 1

Episode One: Goodnight baby. Traditional.

Goodnight baby.

It's time to go to sleep

Episode Two: Soualle (good night). Traditional - Congo

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

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

Dime, dime, dime hen blant bach

Dime, dime, dime hen blant bach.

Sleep My Beautiful Child (Welsh)

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

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.

Feel these arms to keep you warm

Snugly round your tiny form.

Episode Twelve: Soolah (Rachel Hore)

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

Murri nangami nyndi

Pemul nangami warada, bulla

Phonetic pronunciation:

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

Ki o kee na

Do do mon petit

Et bonne nuit

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

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

https://www.blackbirdsongwriting.com.au/the-valley-below