Saturday, January 29, 2011

Homemade Lullabies


"There once was a baby named Dylan, whose smile sent my heart just a thrillin'. His eyes were so blue and they said, "I love you," there once was a baby named Dylan.

Did you ever make up lullabies for your children? Rewriting song lyrics and sometimes coming up with entirely new songs is a fun pastime of mine. Like the little ditty above, which has a unique melody and four verses, I used to revel in making these up, often spontaneously for my kids.

"Zachy, how I love ya, how I love ya, my baby Zachy. You got a smile as bright as the fourth of July, and when you smile like that, it makes my heart sigh . . . ."

Bathtime at our house would be raucous affairs with all kinds of loud silliness and splashing. A car ride on a bumpy road could make us burst into songs that made no sense, had no point, and sometimes no end. Once I rewrote the lyrics to the Battle of New Orleans. I turned it into a fishing song that was hilarious but I couldn't sing it worth a darn. The key just wouldn't stick in my head. Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings turned into a parody on peeps who aren't very nice to others. We sang that around the campfire for years.

Do you do these crazy things with your friends and families? It sure makes for some fun memories. Share your memories and crazy ideas here.

Until the next time.
Margaret Rose

7 comments:

  1. I find it amazing. I do not think there isn't a mother out there who has not sung to their newborn or even made their own lullabies. I would if I had my own. I loved the Dylan one...and Zachyy!!

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  2. How fun! I did used to sing little melodies to my babies, but not quite so creative as yours.

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  3. I still make up songs all the time for my girls. They're usually crazy ones.

    One of the nicer ones I created was sung to the melody of Brahms' Lullaby:

    Close your eyes,
    Go to sleep,
    Dream sweet dreams,
    And be happy.

    You are tired,
    So very tired,
    Close your eyes,
    And go to sleep.

    Close your eyes,
    Go to sleep,
    Dreams sweet dreams,
    And behave.

    Close your eyes,
    Dream sweet dreams,
    I'll be here when you wake.

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  4. What a beautiful baby! I did sing to my kids, and when they got old enough we continued with marching songs, and learning to play instruments. Even I, took lessons to help them practice. My motto is early intervention. It all starts with the lullabies.

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  5. I made up lots of songs for my daughter when she was a baby, revised some and added others for my grandson, and have already started doing the same for my new granddaughter.

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  6. Oh dear, Margaret Rose, I do this with friends and family all the time. :) Your post rang home. I have this ongoing inside joke with my little (not so little anymore) sister, where though grown-ups we sing silly to each other. Silly because we change the lyrics and insert the other's name. It's really fun! :)

    I used to make up songs when I rocked my nephew to sleep... :)

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  7. I love the poems and stories you posted. These are such precious memories. Thank you for sharing your lives with me!

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