The lullaby is a beautiful and charming song. More than that though, it is a song with a purpose. A lullaby promotes restful sleep and singing to a child allows the singer to strengthen their bond with the child, and this can be an important building block in their ability to form meaningful relationships in later life. The singing of lullabies is a tradition found in cultures across the world. Scotland has some beautiful lullabies such as O Can Ye Sew Cushions. This old lullaby sung by a mother whose husband is away at sea was one which Robert Burns collected and published. The Fairy Lullaby is very well known in Scotland. Christina Stewart's 'Kist o Dreams' is a charming CD of lullabies from the Scottish Tradition. The Lullaby can be found on albums throughout the CD categories eg 'Dream Angus' a much-loved lullaby to quieten a fretful or crying baby, and the lovely Taladh Chriosda – The Christ Child Lullaby. Hear are the words of some Scottish lullabies:
Dream Angus
Can you no hush your weepin'
A’ the wee lambs are sleepin'.
Birdies and bairnies are nestlin' the gither,
Dream Angus is hirplin' ower the heather.
Chorus
Dreams for sale, fine dreams for sale,
Angus has got fine dreams for sale
Hush my wee bairnie an’ sleep wi’ oot fear
Dream Angus has brought you a dream my dear
Fairy lullaby
I left my baby lying there
Lying there, lying there
I left my baby lying there
When I went to gather blaeberries
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho
Haithri o ho, haithri o ho
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho
When I went to gather blaeberries
Can ye sew cushions
O Can ye sew cushions, an can ye sew sheets?
And can ye sing ballooloo when the bairn greets?
And hee and haw birdie, and hee and haw lamb;
And hee and haw, birdie, my bonnie wee lamb!
Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?
Black's the life that I lead wi' you;
Mony o' ye, Little for to gie you.
Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?
Sing bal la loo lammie, sing bal la loo dear,
Does wee lammie ken that its daddie's no here?
Ye're rockin' fu' sweetly on mammie's warm knee,
But daddie's a rockin' upon the saut sea.
This lullaby and more can be found on Christina Stewart's Kist o Dreams, a charming CD of lullabies from the Scottish Tradition.
|
|