So, I've been looking up lullabies.

[conuly]

And I've discovered something. Two sometimes.

1. In the world of lullabies-concerning-future-jobs, they all talk about what their son is going to do when he grows up. So... what did these people sing to their daughters? Isn't there even *one* about growing up, getting married, and having your own kids (the presumed occupation of all these daughters, just like they knew in advance what their sons would likely do)?

2. And why are they all featuring moonlight and such? Okay, yes, children do (hopefully) sleep at night, but... didn't these children take naps during the day? Were our ancestors so different from us, only a few generations ago? Didn't their parents feel silly singing about how late it was and the moon was shining, when it *wasn't*? I know I sure do.

Comments

[sayga.livejournal.com]

i can't think of any lullabyes that fall into either of those categories. i don't know about you, but i'd feel sillier singing to my baby about putting her to sleep in a tree than singing about moonlight. :P
maybe they only sang to their kids at night, when their husbands were home, because it was something a man would want a woman do to for his kids. or something. :P struggling to come up with a valid answer. or, maybe kids all slept in slings during the day and just woke and slept whenever they wanted and didn't need lulling to sleep.

lullabye -- lull to bye. hmm.

[conuly]

Nah, a lot of lullabyes mention daddy not being there because he's working.

And I know I have to sing to Eva to get her to sleep, even though she's strapped to my chest. She wants to see the world!

Etymology of lullaby (No e? Damn.)

I find it interesting that in Scots, "ba" apparently was another word used to make kids fall asleep. I go "sho sho sho" at the baby, sometimes, when I'm tired of singing.

[conuly]

As for putting the baby to sleep in a tree, that song irritates me. Aside from the gratuitious cruelty (go to sleep and DIE! YEAH!), I dislike how so many illustrations show a precariously-balanced floor cradle on a tree. Clearly, a hanging cradle is the sort that's meant.

But I have issues with *everything* sometimes. I shouldn't post when I do.

[eofs.livejournal.com]

Whilst yours clearly makes more sense, the normal interpretation is far more fun :0D

[conuly]

If you say so.

[sayga.livejournal.com]

wow, i want that hanging cradle... but there are no trees here big enough to hang it from.

and i never knew the correct spelling was lullaby (no e). hmm.

[conuly]

1. Me too - I think you can hang it from your ceiling, though.

2. Neither did I. *sigh*