Variations on the theme of Rock-a-bye baby

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One of the lullabies that I sing to our daughters has, by necessity, developed over the years. When our eldest was old enough to express her thoughts and consternations, it became clear how the original lyrics of Rock-a-bye baby (originally not intended to be a lullaby, I believe) were deeply worrying to her:

Rock-a-bye baby, on the tree-top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
And when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all

It sounded very much like at least a big "Ouch" for the baby, and L was uncomfortable with that. Now, I know that there will always be howls of protest at how traditional childrens' songs are being softened, made more "correct" and in a way neutered - but English childrens' songs in particular are a strangely brutal bunch with lots of head choppings and smashings to pieces and I'm not totally at ease with that. So, over the years, our version of Rock-a-bye baby changed and gained a few verses as I sang, waiting and hoping for the child finally to go to sleep. There are often more ad-libbed verses, often to do with the day's events, but these are the current standards:

Rock-a-bye baby, on the tree-top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
And when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
Down into the arms of Daddy so tall

 Rock-a-bye baby in- the car,
Wheels going round and round so far
And when the car stops and we take out the key,
We'll all be back home in time for our tea

 Rock-a-bye baby on- a bike
Pedalling so fast to places we like
To the butchers and the bakers, to get our croissants
Then off to the Hostig* to play and sing songs

 Rock-a-bye baby on- a boat
We like our toast and Marmite afloat
But when we find out we've less tea than we thought,
We turn the boat round and head back to port

True, there's a certain fixation with cups of tea: but what else sums up the goodness of sitting together and having a chat about nothing in particular?

*Hostig is a local playground.


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