Hush Little Baby is a beautiful traditional American lullaby. In the song, Mama promises many things to her baby if she'll be quiet and go to sleep. In each instance, Mama tells the baby what she'll give if the previous gift breaks or doesn't work correctly, i.e. the billy goat doesn't pull.
This song is a great accompaniment to quiet time. But it also can be a wonderful catalyst to sparking imagination. Ask children to come up with their own "gifts" that they'd substitute for the "mockingbird". And then how would that item "malfunction"?
UNITS: This song is a great accompaniment to circle time discussions about bedtime and about how things work (and don't work, i.e. if that dog name Rover don't bark) and at rest time.
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THE SONG:
ALICE LEON - vocals and acoustic guitar JONATHAN GREGG - dobro JEFFREY FRIEDBERG - banjo AL GREENE - bass
1. Lie down on floor 2. Play song 3. Listen and relax
Alternate Activity: Make up your own version of the song. Ask children to share what items they'd substitute for "mockingbird" and how that item might not work and then come up with another item.
guitar chords
Only 2 chords in this beautiful song.
Lyrics
Hush little baby don't say a word Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird And if that mockingbird don't sing Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring turns brass Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass And if that looking glass gets broke Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat
If that billy goat don't pull Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull If that cart and bull turns over Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover
If that dog named Rover don't bark Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart If that horse and cart falls down You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town