Odd Lullabies
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Phyllis, one of the teachers and co-owners of Music Together of Charlotte, sent the following "Lullaby Challenge" to her families this for the Spring session.
I want to issue the Lullaby Challenge (my invention---not a 'real' thing). The two lullabies on this collection are
rare, not found in most typical homes. BUT, if we don't learn them, then the last song before the Goodbye
Song is just going to a clock-watching event, because if the adults aren't singing, then the kids will be a little
nutty coming off of the playalong. Adult singing is imperative to bring the energy into focus, calm us all for our
last sweet moments together for the week. So, please listen to the lullabies; at least shoot for knowing the
melodies so we can 'loo' and 'la'.
CRADLE SONG is actually a William Blake poem, set to a melody (I've mentioned this in some classes), so
that's kind of neat. A tad wordy, but not unapproachable. The full poem, for the truly ambitious:
RAISINS AND ALMONDS is just lovely, and could open a good discussion about why is a white goat going
grocery shopping? A couple of sources, if you're interested- http://en.
and from a Q&A blog: In the Orthodox synagogue, in those old sexist days,the women were not allowed in the main
area, but they had a "peanut gallery" up above. There was one ceremony, where the little boys are supposed to have
reached a certain point in their religious development (not the Bar Mitzvah--that is when they are no longer little boys.)
The women shower the little fellers with small bags of raisins and almonds from above. It is a traditional gift for boys
who reached that stage. So the lullaby is the mother telling her infant son how proud she will be of him someday.
My hope is that this information will help you understand the lullabies in this collection a little better. They may be a little different than what you are used to, but they are lovely songs to soothe your child.
Please make sure you sing lullabies to your children in class and especially at home. Some day's it may take many repetitions, but hearing a loved one sing a lullaby is soothing to every child. It is a gift they will keep for a lifetime!
