Anything that helps your little one settle calmly and sleep soundly is a great idea, and what better way than a calming lullaby as they drift off.
Don’t worry about feeling a little daft – you’re not auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent! You’re a parent now and secretly singing to your little one is all part of the fun. Here’s Bounty mums top choices of soothing lullabies and we’ve included all the lyrics for those of us who realise we’ve forgotten the words:
1. Rock-a-bye Baby
2. Frere Jacques/Are you sleeping
3. Hush, Little Baby
4. Three Blind Mice
5. Silent Night (may sound odd if not Christmas but your baby won’t know!)
6. Five Little Ducks
7. Golden Slumbers
8. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
9. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
10. Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
There’s also masses of CD compilations and downloads available now that combine many of these choices to play to your little one at bedtime. Combined with a calming nightlight, this can be a really helpful way to encourage your little one to sleep soundly at night.
Dads often love to share a national anthem or sporting anthem with little ones at bedtime - think England Rugby’s - Sweet Low Sweet Chariot or Liverpool’s - You’ll Never Walk Alone
Favourite lullaby Lyrics
Rock-a-bye baby
Rock-a-bye, baby, in the tree top
When the wind blows the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall
Down will come baby, cradle and all
Baby is drowsing, cosy and fair
Mother sits near in her rocking chair
Forward and back, the cradle she swings
Though baby sleeps, he hears what she sings
Rock-a-bye baby, do not you fear
Never mind, baby, mother is near
Wee little fingers, eyes are shut tight
Now sound asleep - until morning light
Frere Jacques/Are you sleeping
Frère Jacques,
Frère Jacques,
Dormez vous?
Dormez vous?
Sonnez les matines,
Sonnez les matines,
Ding, ding, dong!
Ding, ding, dong!
Are you sleeping,
Are you sleeping?
Brother John?
Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing,
Morning bells are ringing,
Ding ding dong,
Ding ding dong
Hush, little baby
Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.
If that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.
If that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull.
If that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.
If that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.
If that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little boy in town.
So hush little baby, don't you cry,
Daddy loves you and so do I
Three blind mice
Three blind mice,
Three blind mice
See how they run,
See how they run!
They all ran after
The farmer's wife
She cut off their tails
With a carving knife
Did you ever see
Such a sight in your life
As three blind mice?
Silent night
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Five little ducks
FIVE little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mamma duck said: 'Quack, quack, quack, quack!'
And only FOUR little ducks came back.
FOUR little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mamma duck said: 'Quack, quack, quack, quack!'
And only THREE little ducks came back.
THREE little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mamma duck said: 'Quack, quack, quack, quack!'
And only TWO little ducks came back.
TWO little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mamma duck said: 'Quack, quack, quack, quack!'
And only ONE little duck came back.
ONE little duck went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mamma duck said: 'Quack, quack, quack, quack!'
And all her five little ducks came back.
Golden Slumbers
Golden slumbers kiss your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep pretty baby don't you cry
And I will sing you a lullaby
Rock you, rock you, lullaby
Time for bed and time to sleep
Dream little one in slumbers deep
Sleep pretty baby don't you cry
And I will sing you a lullaby
Rock you, rock you, lullaby
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why, can't I?
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
When the blazing sun is gone,
When there's nothing he shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, through the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
In the dark blue sky so deep
Through my curtains often peep
For you never close your eyes
Til the morning sun does rise
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,
Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,
I hate to leave you, but I really must say,
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight.
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,
Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,
I hate to leave you, but I really must say,
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight.