Bo Peep February 15, 2017 All Rhymes 0 Comments

Baby in a cradle hanging from a tree branch as brother and sister watch over

Hush a Bye Baby

Hush-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.

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Listen as female American:

Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Lullabies, Mother Goose Classics, Songs & Verses

Tagged baby, cradle, fall, tree, wind

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Meaning

This lullaby is intended to soothe a child to sleep, painting a gentle image of a cradle rocking in a tree top with the wind. The rhyme’s final line introduces an element of danger, but is usually sung in a calming tone. Its real function is comfort and rhythm, not literal storytelling. Folklorists suggest it may be a metaphor for parental protection, or simply chosen for its soothing sounds and gentle movement.

Origin

“Hush-a-Bye Baby” is of English origin, circulating in oral tradition before its first known printings in the late 18th century. It is closely related to American versions, most notably “Rock-a-bye Baby,” which appeared in print in the early 19th century. The motifs of cradles in trees and rocking lullabies are common in European folk traditions.

Time Period

The earliest printed versions date to the 1760s and 1780s in Britain, with popularity enduring through the Victorian era and into modern times as a nursery staple.

Why It Became Popular

Its calm, rhythmic language and lilting melody make it ideal for bedtime. The rhyme’s simplicity and universal theme of caring for a baby cemented its inclusion in countless nursery rhyme collections and lullaby anthologies. The visual image of a rocking cradle above the ground adds gentle fantasy.

First Known Publication

Early versions appeared in British song sheets and later in Mother Goose collections; the most common variant (“Rock-a-Bye Baby”) was published in Mother Goose’s Melody (c. 1765).

Structure and Style

Meter: Iambic trimeter
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: 4
Style Notes: Gentle motion, repetition of soothing sounds, ideal for singing or chanting.

Themes

Lullaby and sleep
Nature and wind
Parent/child bond
Gentle movement
Imagination

Language Notes

“Hush-a-bye” is an old expression meaning “sleep well” or “quiet now.” “Bough” refers to a large tree branch. The rhyme uses simple natural imagery and repeated soft ‘sh’ and ‘b’ sounds to create a peaceful effect.

Moral or Lesson

No explicit moral; the emphasis is on comfort and parental care. The unexpected outcome (cradle falling) often prompts discussion about safety and assurance in modern readings.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The rhyme’s tree-top cradle may have roots in old practices of placing cradles outside for fresh air, or in symbolic hopes for gentle sleep. Its American cousin, “Rock-a-bye Baby,” expanded its reach through folk song traditions.

Notable Variants

Many versions exist; some soften the ending (“mother will catch you, cradle and all”) or focus solely on the calming motion. “Rock-a-bye Baby” is the most popular alternative version internationally.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Frequently quoted or referenced in children’s literature, films, and lullaby collections. Often illustrated with cradles in fantastical tree-tops.

Suggested Activities

Singing Circle: Sing the rhyme softly together as a lullaby before rest time.
Cradle Craft: Make miniature cradles out of paper or natural materials to illustrate the rhyme.
Gentle Movement Game: Rock a doll or toy in a pretend cradle while singing the rhyme.
Nature Walk: Find a “bough” and talk about what could be imagined or built there.
Art Project: Draw or paint the tree-top scene with the cradle and sleeping baby.
Discussion: Talk gently about safety and comfort at bedtime, reassuring children about being watched over.

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Hush a Bye Baby

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