Some of the most popular baby lullabies to sing were created hundreds of years ago. And they’re still around today. When you see the calming effect they have on your newborn (or older baby), it’s easy to see why! They’re also a great way to express your love to your little one.
So we’ve put together a list of the best lullabies to sing to your baby. Including some of the oldest, most popular songs out there. As well as more modern cradle songs too. They’re ideal for soothing your baby to sleep. And you can sing them throughout the day – it’s a great alternative if you’re struggling to talk to your baby.
At the end of the post, we’ll also share our free printable lyrics and Spotify playlist. So you can learn and listen to the songs whenever you are!
But before we look at popular baby lullabies to sing, let’s first talk a bit more about them.
What Makes a Song a Lullaby?
Lullabies are also known as cradle songs. They’re always slow and rhythmic. And have a speed (tempo) of 60 to 80 beats per minute. Any song with a tempo faster than this is not a lullaby.
Do Lullabies Work For Babies?
Yes! Lullabies are a great way to calm your baby and send them to sleep. Research has shown that songs with a speed of 60 beats per minute, slow the brain waves to a relaxed state. They can even change brain functioning to the same extent as medication!
Simple lullabies are also packed full of language and will help your baby learn more words. They’ll also enjoy hearing your familiar voice and it will help you bond.
Now you know how powerful lullabies can be. Let’s take a look at some beautiful and popular songs you can sing to your baby.
Baby Lullabies to Sing
There are hundreds of songs you can sing for babies to go to sleep. Here’s our list of the best 8 beautiful baby lullabies to sing:
- You Are My Sunshine
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- Stay Awake (a Disney song from Mary Poppins)
- Goodnight My Someone
- Go to Sleep Little Baby
- Hush Little Baby
- I Don’t Want to Live On the Moon
- The Moon Song
All these baby lullabies to sing are super easy to learn. And we’ve included links to modern, popular versions of the songs, so you can listen and choose your favourites.
You Are My Sunshine
You are My Sunshine is was a country song that was first heard in 1939 in Louisiana. It now has many versions. But the original was actually quite a sad song. The chorus was declaring love. But the verses described a love affair. Towards the end, the original lyrics were: ‘but now you’ve left me to love another. You have shattered all of my dreams.’
Here’s a sweeter, shorter version to sing to your baby. It’s easier to remember and will let your little one know just how much you love them.
Lyrics:
You Are My Sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
The other night dear
As I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
And now that you’re here
My dreams are waking
And I will keep you from all harm
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You’ll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Listen and become familiar with the song here – You Are My Sunshine on Youtube.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Somewhere Over the Rainbow is next in our list of baby lullabies to sing. It was first sung in the 1939 film – The Wizard of Oz. But the most popular version of the song was by a Hawaiian singer named Israel Kamakawiwo’ole in 1988.
This song has a powerful message. It’s about hope and that the bad times will one day be over.
Here are the lyrics:
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
Listen to this beautiful song from Israel Kamakawiwo’ole here – Somewhere Over the Rainbow on Youtube.
Stay Awake
Stay Awake is another of our sweet baby lullabies to sing. It was first heard in 1964 in the Disney film Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins is trying to get the children to go to bed. So she sings this song to them.
Here are the lyrics:
Stay awake, don’t rest your head
Don’t lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don’t close your eyes
Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow’s soft and deep
You’re not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don’t nod and dream
Stay awake, don’t nod and dream
Listen to this beautiful song on Youtube – Stay Awake
Goodnight My Someone
Our next lullaby – Goodnight My Someone was originally sung by Shirley Jones in the 1960s film the Music Man.
Goodnight, my someone
Goodnight, my love
Sleep tight, my someone
Sleep tight, my love
Our star is shining it’s brightest light
For goodnight, my love, for goodnight
Sweet dreams be yours, dear
If dreams there be
Sweet dreams to carry you close to me
I wish they may and I wish they might
Now goodnight, my someone, goodnight
True love can be whispered from heart to heart
When lovers are parted they say
But I must depend on a wish and a star
As long as my heart doesn’t know who you are
Sweet dreams be yours dear
If dreams there be
Sweet dreams to carry you close to me
I wish they may and I wish they might
Now goodnight, my someone, goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Listen to the simple lullaby on Youtube – Goodnight My Someone.
Go to Sleep Little Baby
Go to Sleep Little Baby is hundreds of years old. But it was made famous from the movie – O Brother, Where Art Thou. It was performed by Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Gillian Welch.
Lyrics:
Go to sleep, you little baby
Go to sleep, you little baby
Your mama’s gone away and your daddy’s gonna stay
Didn’t leave nobody but the baby
Go to sleep, you little baby
Go to sleep, you little baby
Everybody’s gone in the cotton and the corn
Didn’t leave nobody but the baby
You’re a sweet little baby
You’re a sweet little baby
Honey in the rock and the sugar don’t stop
Gonna bring a bottle to the baby
Don’t you weep, pretty baby
Don’t you weep, pretty baby
She’s long gone with her red shoes on
Gonna need another lovin’ baby
Listen to this traditional lullaby on Youtube – Go to Sleep Little Baby.
Hush Little Baby
Hush Little Baby is a folk song that’s been around for years. The first written version was created in 1918 by Cecil Sharp.
This song promises the child different rewards if they’re quiet. The simple structure of this song means you can add your own verses. So why not give it a try?
Here are the lyrics:
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass is broke,
Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat,
And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and a bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and a cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
So hush little baby, don’t you cry.
Daddy loves you and so do I.
Listen to this popular cradle song on Youtube – Hush Little Baby.
I Don’t Want to Live On the Moon
I Don’t Want to Live On the Moon is one of our more modern baby lullabies to sing. It was first heard on Sesame Street.
Here are the lyrics:
Well, I’d like to visit the moon
On a rocket ship high in the air
Yes, I’d like to visit the moon
But I don’t think I’d like to live there
Though I’d like to look down at the earth from above
I would miss all the places and people I love
So although I might like it for one afternoon
I don’t want to live on the moon
I’d like to travel under the sea
I could meet all the fish everywhere
Yes, I’d travel under the sea
But I don’t think I’d like to live there
I might stay for a day there if I had my wish
But there’s not much to do when your friends are all fish
And an oyster and clam aren’t real family
So I don’t want to live in the sea
I’d like to visit the jungle, hear the lions roar
Go back in time and meet a dinosaur
There’s so many strange places I’d like to be
But none of them permanently
So if I should visit the moon
Well, I’ll dance on a moonbeam and then
I will make a wish on a star
And I’ll wish I was home once again
Though I’d like to look down at the earth from above
I would miss all the places and people I love
So although I may go I’ll be coming home soon
‘Cause I don’t want to live on the moon
No, I don’t want to live on the moon
Listen to this sweet song on Youtube – I Don’t Want to Live On the Moon.
The Moon Song
The Moon Song is the last of our modern baby lullabies to sing. It was first heard in the 2013 film – Her. And it was sung by Karen O and Ezra Keonig.
Here are the Lyrics:
I’m lying on the moon
My dear, I’ll be there soon
It’s a quiet and starry place
Time’s we’re swallowed up
In space we’re here a million miles away
There’s things I wish I knew
There’s no thing I’d keep from you
It’s a dark and shiny place
But with you my dear
I’m safe and we’re a million miles away
We’re lying on the moon
It’s a perfect afternoon
Your shadow follows me all day
Making sure that I’m
Okay and we’re a million miles away
A million miles away
A million miles away
Listen to this beautiful song and music on Youtube – The Moon Song.
Free Printable Lyrics and Playlist
Baby Lullabies to Sing – Free Printable Lyrics
We’ve also created a playlist on Spotify. Check it out here and save it so that you’ll always have the songs available!
Spotify Playlist – Baby Lullabies to Sing
We’d love to know what songs you sing to your baby. So let us know in the comments section below.
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