✦ The Rhyme ✦
Rock-a-Bye Baby
Traditional English nursery rhyme. Public domain.
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.
✦ A Nursery Rhyme ✦
Rock-a-bye baby, on the treetop. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. One of the most familiar lullabies in the world.
Read aloud by Storyland Classics ✦ 32 seconds ✦ Watch on YouTube
✦ The Rhyme ✦
Traditional English nursery rhyme. Public domain.
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.
✦ About the Rhyme ✦
“Rock-a-Bye Baby” was printed in Mother Goose’s Melody around 1765. Its gentle swaying rhythm has made it one of the most sung lullabies in English.
Some people say it was inspired by mothers who hung cradles from tree branches so the wind would rock their babies to sleep. The ending sounds alarming, but for centuries it has been sung softly, with a cuddle on the last line.
✦ Talk About It ✦