A baby wrapped in a rabbit fur blanket

Cry Baby Bunting

Cry Baby Bunting,
Daddy’s gone a-hunting,
Gone to fetch a rabbit skin,
To wrap the Baby Bunting in.

Listen as female British:

Listen as female American:

Visited 22 times, 1 visit(s) today

Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Historical & Legendary, Lullabies, Mother Goose Classics, People & Characters, Traditional

Tagged baby, family, father, hunt, hunting, lullaby, occupation, rabbit

Subscribe

0 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Meaning

The rhyme is a soothing lullaby sung to calm infants. “Bunting” is an old term of endearment often used for plump, swaddled babies; the image of wrapping a baby in a soft rabbit skin evokes warmth and protection. The rhyme assures the child that family members are busy contributing to household needs, and the family’s efforts ultimately serve the baby’s comfort and security.

Origin

First published in “Gammer Gurton’s Garland” (England, 1784), though oral versions likely predate this. Earlier forms were titled “Bye, Baby Bunting” in England, and appeared in collections from the early 18th century. The rhyme was widely sung in both Britain and colonial America as a lullaby.

Time Period

Earliest printed form: 1731–1784. Popularized throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, now a classic lullaby and nursery song recognized internationally.

Why It Became Popular

Its gentle melody and repetitive structure make it ideal for bedtime routines and comforting fussy infants. It is one of the few nursery rhymes focusing on parental roles and daily household tasks.

Structure and Style

Meter: Soft, lullaby tempo
Rhyme Scheme: AABA (short version)
Line Count: Four to six (extended version)
Style Notes: Lullaby, comforting, narrative

Themes

Parental care
Warmth and protection
Family roles

Language Notes

“Bunting” means lightly woven wool, or a type of songbird. The term in this case employed as an affectionate term for a small or chubby baby; possibly linked to the Middle English word bonting (a type of bird) or the word “bundle”.
“Gone a-hunting” is an archaic or poetic contraction of “gone out hunting”.
The phrase “rabbit skin” is a nod to historical practices of using pelts for infant wraps.

Moral or Lesson

No overt moral; the rhyme reassures children that family members work together for their benefit and well-being.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The use of “bunting” as a term of endearment for babies dates to the 16th century. The rhyme reflects rural life and historical animal husbandry customs, such as using skins for swaddling. In mid-20th-century UK playgrounds, “Cry-baby bunting” was also used to tease children perceived as fussy.

Notable Variants

Longer forms expand household roles; American versions sometimes change “Daddy’s gone a-hunting” to “Papa’s gone a-hunting.” Additional lines adapt to regional family structure and occupation.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Widely included in nursery rhyme collections, children’s lullaby anthologies, and soothing bedtime song lists.

Suggested Activities

Bedtime Routine: Sing as a lullaby for infants and toddlers.
Role Play: Act out the family members’ various tasks described in the rhyme.
Art Project: Create pictures of “baby bunting” wrapped in cozy swaddling.
History Exploration: Teach about old-fashioned household roles and rural life.

0

Would love your thoughts, please comment.x

()