Rock-a-Bye Baby Lyrics

One of the oldest known lullabies in English, first published in 1765 in Mother Goose's Melody. Its gentle rocking rhythm mimics the motion of a cradle. Best for ages 0–4. The 6/8 time signature creates a natural sway that synchronizes with cradle motion or parental rocking — pediatric researchers note that this rhythmic match is part of why the song settles babies so reliably. Some parents are uneasy with the falling-cradle lyric; the metaphorical reading ("the cradle gently lowers and baby is safely held") is the version most often sung today. For more bedtime science, see [bedtime routine songs and sleep science](/blog/bedtime-routine-songs-sleep-science) and [lullabies for babies: science of sleep](/blog/lullabies-for-babies-science-of-sleep).

Rock-a-bye baby, on the treetop,
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.

Rock-a-bye baby, your cradle is green,
Father's a nobleman, mother's a queen,
And Betty's a lady who wears a gold ring,
And Johnny's a drummer who drums for the king.

Rock-a-bye baby, so still is the night,
The stars are all twinkling, the moon shines bright,
The birds and the bees and the babes are asleep,
And over the beautiful dreamland we'll creep.