Sleep Baby Sleep Lyrics

A traditional German lullaby translated into English. One of the gentlest bedtime songs, with soft imagery of sheep and stars to lull babies to sleep. Best for ages 0–4. The slow waltz time signature and pastoral imagery (sheep grazing, stars overhead) match the acoustic profile pediatric sleep researchers identify as ideal for sleep induction. Use it as part of a 2-3 song bedtime sequence. The repeated "sleep, baby, sleep" line acts as a calming mantra that babies recognize within days. For the full bedtime-song science, see [bedtime routine songs and sleep science](/blog/bedtime-routine-songs-sleep-science) and [top 10 lullabies for newborns](/blog/top-10-lullabies-for-newborns).

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.