Hush Little Baby

Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird won'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 gets 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 bull.

An American folk lullaby dating to the 1800s, Hush Little Baby is built on a distinctive chain structure, where a parent promises one gift after another to soothe a crying baby. It's ideal for ages 0-2, when a slow, predictable lullaby can genuinely help settle a fussy infant before sleep. Early-childhood educators and sleep researchers alike often note that the steady, repeating "if that ___ don't ___" pattern gives caregivers an easy tune to extend or shorten depending on how long a baby needs to be soothed. Because no single author is credited, the song is considered a true piece of American folk tradition, passed down and adapted across households for generations. Its list-like structure also makes it easy for parents to personalize verses on the spot, keeping the song fresh over months of repeated use. For more on choosing calming songs for sleep, see the science of lullabies for babies.

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