Lullabies K-M

Kalinka

Kentucky Babe

Khasi’s lullaby

Kitty alone (1)

Kitty alone (2)

Kumbaya

Lady, lady

Let your little wings fly

Little bear sleeps

Little children / Mozart’s lullaby

Little lost angel

Little red bird

Little silver boat

Lulla, lulla

Lulla, lullaby / A la rurru niño

Lullabye / Like a ship in the harbor

Lullaby for a baby elephant

Lullaby for a little bee

Lullaby loo, lullaby li

Lullay, my dear

Mama loves and papa loves

Mama’s gone to the mailboat

Mammy, mammy told me-o

Manx lullaby

Moon glow, moon glow

Moon, moon, shiny and silver

Moon River

Morag’s cradle song

Mozart’s lullaby / Sleep, little one

My owlet

My rocket ship

Last updated: 7/28/2023 4:27 PM

The songs below are compiled, illustrated and sometimes adapted by Dany Rosevear

Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page

To listen to music from these songs click on 🔊

To watch the author sing a song click on the title at:

You are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the following conditions:

· you must give the original author credit

· you may not use this work for commercial purposes

· for any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the licence terms of this work

· any of these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder

Your fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.

Kalinka 🔊

A Russian folk tune with English words by Thomas Pitfield from Oxford Choral Songs; these are the words broadcast in the 1970s BBC Schools Programme, ‘Singing Together’. It was written in 1860 by the composer and folklorist Ivan Larionov, find out more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalinka_(song) The literal translation is ‘Little snowberry, snowberry, snowberry of mine! Little raspberry in the garden, my little raspberry!’

One of my favourite Russian song – nothing can beat the Red Army version which was recorded long after my grandmother escaped from Russia to Poland during the Russian revolution!

Kalinka, Kalinka, Kalinka, my dear,

Your name in the whisper of pines I can hear,

Kalinka, Kalinka, Kalinka my dear,

Your name in the whisper of pines I can hear.

Oh, underneath the pine tree,

Green and shady pine tree,

Let me linger there and dream.

Lullay, lullay,

Let me linger there and dream.

Oh, green and ruslting pine tree,

Green and tufty pine tree,

Let not your murm'rings disturb my dream.

Lullay, lullay,

Let not your murm'rings disturb my dream.

Oh, hush, you restless pine tree,

Noble dark, and fine tree,

Draw your green coverlet over me.

Lullay, lullay,

Draw your green coverlet over me.

Kentucky Babe 🔊

One I remember from my childhood played on my mother’s well worn gramophone – the vinyl LP got quite scratched from being played.

Words by Richard Henry Buck, music by Adam Geibel.

Skeeters are a hummin’ on the honeysuckle vine,

Sleep, Kentucky Babe!

Sandman is a-comin’ to this little babe of mine,

Sleep, Kentucky Babe!

Silv'ry moon is shinin’ in the heavens up above,

Bobolink is pinin’ for his little lady love,

You are mighty lucky, Babe of old Kentucky,

Close your eyes in sleep,

Fly away.

Fly away, Kentucky Babe, fly away to rest,

Fly away.

Lay your little sleepy head on your mommy's breast, Mmm..Mmm..

Close your eyes in sleep.

Close your eyes and sleep.

Best be gettin' shady, my lovely little lady,

Close your eyes in sleep.

Khasi’s lullaby O

A beautiful Himalayan lullaby collected by Mary Rowland; the English words are by Anne Mendoza and can be found in Thirty Folk Settings for Children published by Curwen 1960.

Gently rocking, gently rocking,

Go to sleep my dearie.

Gently rocking, gently rocking,

Go to sleep my dearie.

Birds are crying, homeward flying,

Go to sleep my dearie.

Birds are crying, homeward flying,

Go to sleep my dearie.

Hari cucu, Yari cucu,

Hari cucu, ele.

Hari cucu, Yari cucu,

Hari cucu, ele.

Repeat

Kitty alone O

I first came across this lullaby as ‘Bandyrowe’ in Jean Ritchie’s book Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians’. This Kentucky version ‘Kitty alone’ comes from her album ‘Children’s song and games from the Southern Mountains’ and was learnt from her sister ‘Kitty’.

The format of the lyrics is very similar to those of ‘Fooba Wooba John’ My recording of that song is at: Fooba Wooba John - a rhyming song - YouTube.

Saw a crow a-flying low, Kitty alone, Kitty alone,

Saw a crow a-flying low, Kitty alone, a-lye,

Saw a crow a-flying low and a cat a-spinning tow,

Kitty alone, a-lye; Rock-uma- rye-a-ree.

In came a little bat, Kitty alone, Kitty alone,

In came a little bat, Kitty alone, a-lye,

In came a little bat with some butter and some fat,

Kitty alone, a-lye; Rock-uma- rye-a-ree.

Next came in was a honeybee, Kitty alone, Kitty alone,

Next came in was a honeybee, Kitty alone, a-lye,

Next came in was a honeybee with a fiddle across his knee,

Kitty alone, a-lye; Rock-uma- rye-a-ree.

Next came in was little Pete, , Kitty alone, Kitty alone,

Next came in was little Pete, Kitty alone, a-lye,

Next came in was little Pete fixing for to go to sleep,

Kitty alone, a-lye; Rock-uma- rye-a-ree.

Bee-o, bye-o, baby-o, Kitty alone, Kitty alone,

Bee-o, bye-o, baby-o, Kitty alone, a-lye,

Bee-o, bye-o, baby-o, bye-o, bee-o, baby-o,

Kitty alone, a-lye; Rock-uma-rye-a-ree.

Kitty alone (2) 🔊

A lullaby from North Carolina.

This version of ‘Kitty alone’ is much more recognizable as a cradle song.

It can be found in the ‘Collection of North Carolina Folklore’ collected by Dr. Frank C. Brown between 1912 to 1943. https://archive.org/details/frankcbrowncolle03fran/page/148/mode/2up

Kitty alone - an Appalachian lullaby - YouTube

You can find the more familiar version above.

Saw a crow a-flyin’ low,

Kitty alone, kitty alone,

Saw a crow a-flyin’ low,

Kitty alone, alee,

Saw a crow a-flyin’ low

And a cat a-spinnin’ tow.

Rockabye baby bye; rockabye baby bee.

Saw a red cloud in the sky,

Kitty alone, kitty alone,

Saw a red cloud in the sky,

Kitty alone, alee,

Saw a red cloud in the sky,

And a star a-sailin’ by.

Rockabye baby bye; rockabye baby bee.

Saw the moon in the river bed,

Kitty alone, kitty alone,

Saw the moon in the river bed,

Kitty alone, alee,

Saw the moon in the river bed

Big black frog swam over her head.

Rockabye baby bye; rockabye baby bee.

Saw an owl in a hickory tree,

Kitty alone, kitty alone,

Saw an owl in a hickory tree,

Kitty alone, alee,

Saw an owl in a hickory tree,

Big owl eyes a-lookin’ at me.

Rockabye baby bye; rockabye baby bee.

Kumbaya O

In the 1960s – 70s this song was often heard in primary classrooms and also round the campfire, usually as ‘Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya’ - Peter, Paul and Mary and Joan Baez among others sang this version. I have chosen a secular translation from the Swedish found in ‘Songs that children sing’ compiled and edited by Eleanor Croman.

This lullaby comes from Africa, possibly the Congo, but very little is known about its origins. What I do know is that it is a very effective lullaby as my baby grandson fell asleep in no time at all as I sang!

Kumbaya, ya, kumbaya.

Ah, ah, kumbaya,

Ah, ah, kumbaya.

Night is coming, Kumbaya,

Ah, ah, kumbaya,

Ah, ah, kumbaya.

Moon is shining, Kumbaya…

Stars are twinkling, Kumbaya…

Children sleeping, Kumbaya…

Lady, lady 🔊

A lullaby for rocking baby to sleep.

Move child in arms from side to side, lower and raise arms, resume rocking.

Lady, lady,

Buy a broom for my baby.

Sweep it low, sweep it high,

Sweep the cobwebs out of the sky.

Lady, lady,

Buy a broom for my baby.

Let your little wings fly 🔊

A lullaby for dreamers, take wing and fly.

How lovely to watch the moon and stars before bedtime and follow their paths when we can.

When I was young I was convinced I could fly, I was prone to sleepwalking and vivid dreams. My aunt encouraged my belief by telling me my shoulder blades were wing buds that only grew at nighttime.

Dreaming it is possible to fly is a very common one. Growing wings can also be a metaphor for the power of change. Through life we can alter our definition of self in our ways of living and by positive thinking. And one way to start doing this is to use our imagination.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

See the moon a-shining in the dark sky,

Watch the stars a-twink’ling overhead, overhead.

The stars are daisies, the moon turns hazy,

It sings, “Hush now, it’s time for bed!”

Hear the moon a-whisp’ring to me, “Sweet dreams!”

Snuggle up in slumber, close your eyes, close your eyes.”

It sees me sleeping when the stars come peeping,

Singing, “Dear child, let your little wings fly!”

La, la la la, la la, la la, la la,

La, la la la, la la, la la, la, La la la!

It sees me sleeping when the stars come peeping,

Singing, “Dear child, let your little wings fly!” x2

Little bear sleeps 🔊

Most of Mother Earth’s creatures have somewhere to sleep, us included.

A poem by Margaret Hillert, 1920 –2014, an American author, poet and educator from Michigan USA. Music by Dany Rosevear.

Little bear sleeps in the woods, in the woods.

Little gull sleeps on the sea.

Little colt sleeps in a big, big field.

Little squirrel sleeps in a tree.

Small fox sleep in a den, in a den.

A hive is the place for a bee.

But here am I in my very own bed,

And that's the best place for me.

Little children / Mozart's Lullaby 🔊

A beautiful, simple tune composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791.

Little children, tiny children,

So tired and so sleepy.

Weary children, drowsy children,

To dreamland will go.

In their bed with downy pillows,

The children's heads rest on.

Sleepy children, weary children,

To dreamland have gone.

Little lost angel 🔊

For those that have lost their way; may they meet a generous spirit.

Burl Ives recorded this on an album of folk lullabies in the early 1960's. Several of the songs like ‘Little lost angel’ can only be found on this album.

Little lost angel in the snow,

Shivering cold from head to toe;

Little lost angel didn't know,

Which was the way to Jubilo,

Which was the way to Jubilo.

Little lost angel, come said I,

Here is my house all warm and dry;

Little lost angel don’t you cry,

I’m very pleased that you stopped by,

I’m very pleased that you stopped by.

Little lost angel smiled at me,

Nibbled some cake and sipped hot tea;

“Sir, you have made me fine and warm,

May the Lord keep you safe from harm,

May the Lord keep you safe from harm.

Little lost angel rose to go,

Fluttered both wings and curtsied low;

Here are the footsteps in the snow,

Where I showed the way to Jubilo

Where I showed the way to Jubilo.

Little red bird O

A lullaby from the Isle of Man.

You can find many more verses on the internet where you can also hear it sung beautifully in Manx http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0pnuno8Aew.

You could easily make up your own verses - where else might the little bird sleep?

Chorus

Little red bird on the cold, cold moor,

Cold, cold moor, cold, cold moor,

Little red bird on the cold, cold moor,

Where did you sleep last night?

Last night I slept in the gorse bush-o,

Gorse bush-o, gorse bush-o,

The rain it fell and the wind did blow,

So hard was my sleep last night!

Chorus

Last night I slept between two leaves,

Between two leaves, between two leaves,

As snug as a babe in two blankets of fleece,

So deep was my sleep last night!

Little silver moon 🔊

A Chinese folk song.

Cup hands and move gently from side to side. Make fingers twinkle. Continue rocking hands and then place on cheek.

Little silver moon rides the sky like a boat,

Past the twinkling stars it will float, lightly float

Sail little moon boat to the west,

Sail little moon boat while I rest.

Xiao yin chuan Yeher wahn wahn shiang ee tiow troon qua tien shung.

Troon qua sheen sheen tah ee rahn cheen, ying piau dahng.

Yahng fahng shiang sho she fahng hahng.

Chiah shiao shiao yeen troon wah ahn shung.

Lulla, lulla O

A gentle Russian lullaby.

Lulla, lulla, little baby,

Hush and do not cry!

Sleep will gently soon enfold you,

Mother watches by.

Lulla, lulla, little baby,

Safe in mother’s arms,

As you dream she’s sure to guard you,

Keep you safe from harm.

Lulla lullaby / A la rurru niño 🔊

A folk song from Mexico. The English version is by Vernon Muroz

Hush, my little baby,

Close your sleepy eyes;

I will sing a song for you,

Lulla, lullaby.

See the little sparrow,

Flying up so high

As he plays among the clouds,

Lulla, lullaby.

Like the little sparrow,

Spread your wings and fly,

To the land of happy dreams,

Lulla, lullaby.

A la rurru niño,

A la rurru ya.

Duérmete mi niño,

Y duérmete ya.

Lullaby for a baby elephant 🔊

‘Elefantens-vuggevise’ is one of the most beloved lullabies in Demark and is still sung in many homes at bedtime. I came across it in the Danish drama ‘Ride upon the storm’ about a family in conflict who gather round the baby to sing.

It was written by Harald Andreas Hartvig Lund in 1948. The melody was composed by Mogens Jermiin Nissen. The translation here by Dany Rosevear hopefully keeps faith with the original Danish version with a tiny bit of imaginative tweaking to complement the music.

The stars are lit up in the dark blue sky,

The crescent moon raises its sabre.

I will keep watch so the naughty mice

Don’t sneak into your tiny trunk, dear.

Sleep tight, little Jumbo, in your sky cradle,

Darkness is falling on the forest,

Old auntie ostrich is fast asleep

And uncle rhino snores softly.

Now in your sweet dreams hear the wildebeest call,

In thickets of twining lianas,

And chattering monkeys sing themselves to sleep

In a cradle of the greenest bananas.

Sleep tight, little Jumbo, my darling fellow,

You’ll want for nothing, my dear one;

Tomorrow I'll find you a coconut,

It will make the noisiest rattle.

A zebra puts on his black and white striped,

Pyjamas all ready for sleeping,

A flying squirrel with fluffy legs,

Sits out in the dark gently squeaking.

Sleep tight, little Jumbo, have you eaten well?

You know nothing of a poor mother’s trials;

A small plantation of one thousand reeds

That has to be picked by tomorrow.

Just listen, the tiger roars its evensong,

It looks round in every direction.

And in the midstream, with his claws so sharp

Black panther steals by, all attention.

Sleep silent, young Jumbo, my sweet little mite,

You’re my dearest, my cutest little beetroot,

You asked me to tell you a fairytale

But you’re sleeping soundly already!

Lullaby for a little bee 🔊

All parents and other living creatures, want the very best for their young but always within their capabilities so they can be contented with life and play their part.

This little prayer / lullaby encapsulates some of those things we wish for our children, ‘seeds of love’ we would gladly bestow on them.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Be busy, be happy,

Be the very best you can.

Be wild my child,

Be full of life,

Explore and learn and plan.

Be helpful, be caring,

To all that fly your way.

And together then,

As the summer ends

Make honey every day.

No hurry, don’t worry,

Just be all you’re meant to be.

The sun’s in the West,

The flow’rs at rest,

Sleep softly my sweet honeybee.

Lullaby loo, lullaby li 🔊

Time for sleep and dreams of nursery rhymes.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

Lullaby loo, lullaby li,

Lullaby low, lullaby high.

Lullaby lambs count the lullaby sheep,

Lullaby rock, little baby to sleep.

Lullaby meadows, lullaby streams,

Lullaby clouds, lullaby dreams.

Lullaby waltzing with Little Bo Peep,

Lullaby rock, little baby to sleep.

Lullabye / Like a ship in the harbor 🔊

A beautiful comforting lullaby. This wonderful song was written by Chris Williamson: find out more about her impressive achievements at: https://www.criswilliamson.com/

Like a ship in the harbor, like a mother and child,

Like a light in the darkness, I'll hold you a while.

We'll rock on the water, I'll cradle you deep,

And hold you while angels sing you to sleep.

Lullay, my dear 🔊

This is a lullaby collected by H. Fleetwood Shepherd from ‘Songs of the West: Folk songs of Devon and Cornwall collected from the mouths of people’. It was sung by a nurse, Anne Bickle of Bratton Clovelly, about 1842 and recalled some time later. I have changed the timing from 3/8 to 2/4 to make it sound more like a lullaby.

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Father’s not near,

Tossed on the deep,

Lullay, my dear!

Moon shining bright,

Soft drops the dew.

Owls hoot all night,

To-whit-to-whoo!

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Father’s away,

Tossed on the deep,

Looking for day.

In the hedge-row

Glow-worms alight,

Rivulets flow,

All through the night.

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Father’s afar,

Tossed on the deep,

Watching a star.

Clock going ‘Tick,

Tock!’ in the dark.

On the hearth, ‘Click!’

Dies the last spark.

Sleep, baby, sleep!

What! not a wink!

Father’s on the deep,

What will he think?

Baby dear, soon

Daddy will come,

Bringing red shoes

For baby at home.

Mama loves and papa loves 🔊

A Southern American lullaby for rocking baby to sleep. Arranged and adapted by Dany Rosevear.

Insert other family members names into this song especially if older brothers and sisters are present.

Mama loves and papa loves,

And everybody loves the little baby.

Go to sleepy, go to sleepy,

Go to sleep my little baby.

Mama’s gone to the mailboat 🔊

Collected from Tina Russell, Marvells Inlet, South Carolina, by John and Alan Lomax. Originally got this one is from ‘Songs to grow on’ by Beatrix Landeck published 1950.

Bye-o baby, bye-o.

Bye-o baby, bye,

Mama’s gone to the mail boat,

Bye.

Close your sleepy eyes,

Papa’s gone to the mail boat,

Bye-o-bye.

Mammy, mammy told me-o 🔊

Music, possibly from Ireland, to lull baby to sleep. What parent doesn’t believe that their baby is the best, the cleverest and the most wonderful one in the world.

The second verse is adapted by Dany Rosevear (grandparents’ licence!) from the Afro-American tradition which in turn links with European nursery rhymes of yore.

Mammy, mammy told me-o,

I'm the sweetest little baby in the country-o.

I looked in the glass and found it so,

Just as mammy told me-o.

Sheep's in the meadow a-mowing the hay.

Honey's in the bee-gum, so they say.

I'm the sweetest little baby in the country-o.

Mammy an' daddy both told me so.

Manx lullaby 🔊

A song from the Isle of Man, find out more about the music from this island nation at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Isle_of_Man

‘O horo hi ri ri’ are just sounds to soothe a baby, while ‘Cadul gu lo’ means ‘keep sleeping / sleep soundly’. It is pronounced ‘Cajool goo low’.

O hush thee my dove, O hush thee, my rowan,

O hush thee my lapwing, my little brown bird.

O hush thee my dove, O hush thee, my rowan,

O hush thee my lapwing, my little brown bird.

O fold thy wings and seek thy nest now,

O shine the berry on the bright tree,

The bird is home from the mountain and valley.

O horo hi ri ri, Cadul gu lo.

Moon glow, moon glow O

This rhyme by Margaret Timmons is sometimes sung to the tune of ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’. Dany Rosevear wrote the melody below.

Moon glow, moon glow, in the night,

Moon glow, moon glow, gentle light.

How I love to see you there,

Softly shining everywhere.

Moon glow, moon glow, in the night,

Moon glow, moon glow, gentle light.

Moon, moon, shiny and silver 🔊

This lovely song comes from ‘Here and Now Story Book’ by Lucy Sprague Mitchell published in 1921. The tune is a German folk song ‘Du, du, liegst mir im herzen’ which has been sung by Marlene Deitrich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ9VYpxKtFk

It also featured on ABC Playschool in the 1980s.

Moon, moon, shiny and silver,

Moon, moon, silver and white;

Moon, moon, whisper to children,

“Sleep through the silvery night.

There, there, there, there,

Sleep through the silvery night.”

Sun, sun, shining and golden,

Sun, sun, golden and gay.

Sun, sun, shout to the children,

“Wake to the sunshiny day.

There, there, there, there,

Wake to the sunshiny day.”

Moon! Sun! Shiny and silver,

Moon! Sun! Shiny and gold.

Moon! Sun! Shine on the young ones,

Shine until they grow old.

Shine, shine, shine, shine,

Shine until they grow old.

Moon River 🔊

Though written as a romantic love song its gentle tones make it perfect as a lullaby. This song was originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’ and was very popular at this time.

Composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

Moon River, wider than a mile,

I'm crossing you in style some day.

Old dream maker, you heart breaker,

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.

Two drifters, off to see the world,

There's such a lot of world to see.

We're after the same rainbow's end,

Waitin' 'round the bend,

My huckleberry friend,

Moon River and me.

Morag’s cradle song 🔊

A Scottish lullaby.

Would you were here, my little one,

Would you were here, my joy my treasure,

Would you were here, my little one.

Blue her eye, as skies in summer,

Sweet her smile as flowers blooming.

Soft her cheek, as eider down is,

Warm and soft her arms entwining.

Gaze, I seaward in the gloaming,

Gaze, I skyward sad and weary.

Mozart’s lullaby / Sleep, little one 🔊

A lullaby originally attributed to W. A. Mozart but according to the ‘Singing Bell’ the tune is now thought to be written by Bernhard Flies or Johann Friedrich Anton Fleischmann and the words by Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter, 1746–1797.

Sleep, little one, go to sleep.

So peaceful the birds and the sheep,

Quiet are meadow and trees,

Even the buzz of the bees,

The silvery moonbeams so bright,

Down through the window give light,

O’er you the moonbeams will creep,

Sleep, little one, go to sleep.

Good night, good night.

My owlet 🔊

A Kiowa Native American lullaby. The term ‘owlet’ is a form of endearment. Mother carefully straps baby on her back and sways gently back and forth as she sings baby to sleep to the rhythmic pattern.

Owlet, my owlet is sleeping,

Wee stars are twinkling in the sky,

Owlet, my owlet is sleeping,

Mother is singing a lullaby.

Owlet, my owlet is sleeping,

Wee stars are twinkling in the sky,

Owlet, my owlet is sleeping,

Father is singing a lullaby.

My rocket ship O

This song comes from ‘Singing Fun’ 1962 and was written by Lucille F. Wood who also wrote the kindergarten standard ‘Five little firemen’.

I’d like to go up in a rocket ship

And some day very soon.

I’ll fly through space and touch the stars

As we sail to the moon.

I’ll eat my lunch with the man in the moon,

He’s a kind old man it’s said,

But when night comes I’ll sail right back

And sleep in my own little bed.

Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page