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.

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

This beloved lullaby is a gentle promise of comfort and care—each verse building on the last in a soothing, repetitive rhythm that helps settle little ones to sleep.

The Story Behind Hush, Little Baby

Hush, Little Baby is a traditional lullaby that originated in the Southern United States, with the mockingbird – a native species of the American South – taking centre stage.

Though its exact roots are uncertain, the earliest documented versions were collected by folk music historian Cecil Sharp in 1918. He recorded lyrics from Lucy Cannady of Virginia and Julie Boone of North Carolina, suggesting the lullaby dates back at least to the early 1900s—if not earlier.

🎶 A Lullaby That Inspired Generations

One of the most recorded and adapted lullabies in modern times, Hush, Little Baby has been reimagined by a wide range of artists, including:

  • Nina Simone
  • Regina Spektor
  • Bo Diddley
  • Yo-Yo Ma
  • And even Eminem, in his heartfelt track “Mockingbird”

The song’s format—offering a series of imaginative gifts to soothe a crying child—has made it incredibly versatile. Whether sung softly at bedtime or reinterpreted in popular music, the lullaby remains a universal symbol of love and reassurance.