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

[shenya.livejournal.com]

Coventry Carol doesn't mention either of those :). Ok, so it's kind of religious too... dates back to the sixteenth century.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

1. O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor Youngling for Whom we sing
By, by, lully, lullay?

2. Herod the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.

3. That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever morn and day
For Thy parting neither say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

[conuly]

That's "and ever mourn and say", i.e. sigh. I love that song dearly. Pity I generally try not to sing Christmas songs before September, or after February.

[shenya.livejournal.com]

Sorry. That one was grabbed from a google, I don't remember the words that well. A medieval singing group that I turn up to very occasionally sang it recently. It's yummy in four-part harmony *grin*