Sleep Baby Sleep Lyrics

Sleep Baby Sleep traces its roots to 1800s Germany, where it developed as a traditional lullaby before becoming a familiar bedtime melody in English-speaking households as well. It's best suited for ages 0-2, matching the slow tempo and soft dynamics that help very young babies settle toward sleep. Early-childhood educators often note that lullabies with a steady, unchanging melodic pattern like this one help infants regulate their own breathing and heart rate as they wind down for the night. Its German folk origins place it alongside a long European tradition of simple, melodic lullabies meant to be sung softly and repeated as many times as needed. Because the lyrics are short and gentle, caregivers can hum or sing it quietly without needing to remember complicated verses, making it a practical late-night option. To see how lullaby traditions differ and overlap across countries, explore [lullabies from different cultures around the world](/blog/lullabies-different-cultures-world).

Sleep, baby, sleep.
Your father tends the sheep.
Your mother shakes the dreamland tree,
And from it fall sweet dreams for thee.
Sleep, baby, sleep.

Sleep, baby, sleep.
The large stars are the sheep.
The little stars are the lambs, I guess,
The bright moon is the shepherdess.
Sleep, baby, sleep.