Sunday, May 15, 2011

Rock a Bye Baby


I know we’ve all heard of this one.


BeverlyandPacksphotostream
And I know at one time or another we have sung this song to our children or at least someone else’s (maybe you were babysitting or something)…

Anyways, have you ever really thought about what you were singing?
Just to refresh your memory, read this:
Rock a bye baby, on the tree top…
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock…
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall…
And down will come baby, cradle and all…
Ok…can somebody please tell me why this “nursery rhyme” doesn’t give your kids nightmares?
The cradle will fall?
And down will come baby cradle and all?
Ouch.
So basically, we're singing about a little baby that is inside of a baby carriage on the top of a tree.
And...how big is this tree?
Just think for a moment.
Ok...a tree is a tree...and I seriously doubt that a baby tree would be able to hold a baby carriage and a baby without the branch breaking right away...
Right?
Here's my vision...
"The wind begins to blow…
and then...
The cradle begins to violently sway in the wind…
and then…
BAM!

mediaspin.com/creativecommons

The poor kid falls down from the top of the tree!
Cradle and all…"
Poor thing!
I'm horrible, I know.
Yea, that’s a real nice lullaby to sing to your child before they go to bed.
Especially if they understand
“Mommy, can you please sing the song about the baby that falls out of the tree!?”
Are you getting a visual?
I know it’s supposed to be innocent...and I even sang this song myself...
I'm not trying to "ruin" this nursery rhyme, but...

flickr.com
Have you thought about this?

There is even little shirts and toys that have this lullaby in some way, shape or form somewhere... 
I know you've seen 'em!
So I did a little bit of research on this to answer the one burning question…
Where did this song come from?
"Must you critically think everything??? " You ask.
The answer is YES : )

RobBoudon/flickr.com

According to lullabylink.com, this song was first published in 1765.
The website lists two theories…
One theory is that Native American women use to hang their babies cradles on trees…therefore the wind would naturally rock them to sleep.
Ok, makes sense.
Hopefully not on the top of the tree…but ok. 
Another theory is that the song originated from a family that lived in a huge tree in England.
Sounds fun.
I should do more research…
But I’m getting kind of tired.
Do you have any thoughts on this?
Please don’t hesitate to tell me what’s On Ur Mind.