10. Row Row Row Your Boat
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Variation example:
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the river,
If you see a polar bear,
Don’t forget to shiver.
The basic verse to Row Row Row Your Boat is sweetly soothing, but there are countless super-silly variations using different animals and bodies of water that you can have so much fun with, or try writing some of your own! While you sing, hold baby’s hands and gently move her arms back and forth like the oars of a boat. Advanced version: start the song, then have your partner or an older child begin with “Row row row” while you’re already singing “Merrily merrily” so that you’re singing in a round. Keep going as long as you can–it sounds cool!
11. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, through the night.
Then the traveler in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark;
He could not see where to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye
Till the sun is in the sky.
Most people only know the first verse of this very popular song. But if your baby is a Twinkle Twinkle fiend, you might enjoy learning the other verses, just to mix it up a little. (I found that these four verses could get me through approximately one boob during a pre-nap feeding.) But Twinkle Twinkle doesn’t have to be a sleepy lullaby–if you’re singing during play time, open and close your fingers to demonstrate twinkling stars, and create a diamond shape with your thumbs and forefingers for the diamond in the sky. Twinkle Twinkle segues easily into the ABC song, which uses the exact same tune.
12. Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy/(girl)
Who lives down the lane
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
13. 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
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
If it seems like you’ll need a cheat sheet to remember all the words to this lullaby, don’t worry. After you’ve sung it a few times through, you’ll find the story embedded in your brain, like, forever. This truly is one of the most soothing songs for babies–and mamas–making it a lovely way to pass the time during baby’s last feed before bed. Some versions include this extra sweet sentiment at the end: “So hush little baby, don’t you cry, Daddy loves you and so do I.”
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