Ellie’s poem is not in the least violent or crass. .It’s her hidden motivation that would seem to be dangerous, but she overcomes it by writing the poem.
Funny how I never thought about the words of the “Rock a By Baby” song til now. And I did sing it to my daughter. Never in a fit af anger either. Just while rocking her with a bottle before bedtime. I just thought of it as a soothing song. However when I wanted her to go the ….. to sleep, that song never came to mind. More of a stern, please just go to sleep already.
That is kind of a violent thought towards babies, but …
A theory has it that the lyrics, like the tune “Lilliburlero” it is sung to, refer to events immediately preceding the Glorious Revolution. The baby is supposed to be the son of James VII and II, who was widely believed to be someone else’s child smuggled into the birthing room in order to provide a Roman Catholic heir for James. The “wind” may be that Protestant “wind” or force “blowing” or coming from the Netherlands bringing James’ nephew and son-in-law William of Orange, who would eventually depose King James II in the revolution (the same “Protestant Wind” that had saved England from the Spanish Armada a century earlier). The “cradle” is the royal House of Stuart.4 The earliest recorded version of the words in print appeared with a footnote, “This may serve as a warning to the Proud and Ambitious, who climb so high that they generally fall at last”,5 which may be read as supporting a satirical meaning.
The Simpsons had a great version of baby rocking in the tree and listening to Rock a Bye Baby — as the song goes along the pacifier is being sucked much more violently. Rosalie Sorrells also does a whole medley of the old folk songs she calls “hostile baby rocking songs” including “today is the day we give babies away — with a half a pound of tea.”
pelican47 almost 9 years ago
Ellie’s poem is not in the least violent or crass. .It’s her hidden motivation that would seem to be dangerous, but she overcomes it by writing the poem.
Brian Fink almost 9 years ago
And the best reading of “Go the #$@# to sleep” is by Samuel Jackson.
ladykat almost 9 years ago
My parents sang that lullaby to me and I used to climb trees like a howler monkey.
crazyliberal almost 9 years ago
Funny how I never thought about the words of the “Rock a By Baby” song til now. And I did sing it to my daughter. Never in a fit af anger either. Just while rocking her with a bottle before bedtime. I just thought of it as a soothing song. However when I wanted her to go the ….. to sleep, that song never came to mind. More of a stern, please just go to sleep already.
Guilty Bystander almost 9 years ago
Well, that and the bottle of Gerber’s Strained Peyote.
DragonflyLover almost 9 years ago
I just don’t care for Rock-a-bye Baby, so over the years of babysitting, I wrote my own lullaby. Works like a charm!
Tin Can Twidget almost 9 years ago
That is kind of a violent thought towards babies, but …
A theory has it that the lyrics, like the tune “Lilliburlero” it is sung to, refer to events immediately preceding the Glorious Revolution. The baby is supposed to be the son of James VII and II, who was widely believed to be someone else’s child smuggled into the birthing room in order to provide a Roman Catholic heir for James. The “wind” may be that Protestant “wind” or force “blowing” or coming from the Netherlands bringing James’ nephew and son-in-law William of Orange, who would eventually depose King James II in the revolution (the same “Protestant Wind” that had saved England from the Spanish Armada a century earlier). The “cradle” is the royal House of Stuart.4 The earliest recorded version of the words in print appeared with a footnote, “This may serve as a warning to the Proud and Ambitious, who climb so high that they generally fall at last”,5 which may be read as supporting a satirical meaning.
lindz.coop Premium Member almost 9 years ago
The Simpsons had a great version of baby rocking in the tree and listening to Rock a Bye Baby — as the song goes along the pacifier is being sucked much more violently. Rosalie Sorrells also does a whole medley of the old folk songs she calls “hostile baby rocking songs” including “today is the day we give babies away — with a half a pound of tea.”