I’ve been giving Hannah a brief “rock-rock” before bed each night. I try to sing a few lullabies. She puts her head down for a minute and then sits up with a big grin on her face and starts swinging back and forth, singing along like she’s at a German Biergarten with a mug of beer in her hand.

Sigh.

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Bonnie asked very politely for lyrics. Bonnie, I need to learn the melody to that beautiful lullaby that you sent me. My lullaby repetoire now is very simple.

I usually start with Rock-a-Bye Baby or Brahms Lullaby. Nothing fancy. Hannah likes singing along with Rock-a-Bye Baby the best. She cracks herself up singing “baby.”

Then I move on to something that I particularly enjoy singing, like “Danny Boy”:

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone, and all the flowers are dying
‘Tis you, ’tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an “Ave” there for me.

And I shall hear, tho’ soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you’ll not fail to tell me that you love me
I’ll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

I’ll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

The last song is called “Goodnight Hannah,” sung to the melody of “Goodnight Ladies.” Rachel recently expanded our lyrics. Here is her version.

Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Moon…..is Hannah’s favorite book.

Goodnight Jo Jo. Goodnight Jo Jo. Goodnight Jo Jo…..is Hannah’s favorite Doll.

Goodnight Hannah. Goodnight Hannah. Goodnight Hannah….is Rachel’s favorite sister.

(Hannah and I added this last part)

Goodnight Mommy. Goodnight Mommy. Goodnight Mommy….because Mommy goes night-night too.

(Imagine Hannah swinging side to side singing, “Noo-night Moon.” Then imagine her starting to get a little weepy when we get to her name.)

My husband put together a beautiful collection of lullabies on a CD when Rachel was a baby. Unfortunately, but at the same time VERY fortunately, we don’t rock Hannah until she falls asleep, like we did with her sister. Therefore, we don’t get the pleasure of listening to the music while we watch the glow from the lamp reflect off her sleeping face. On the up side, we don’t spend a whole hour and a half putting her to sleep. I may post the songs from his lullaby CD if you’re interested.

Your lullaby suggestions?