American Lullaby

American Lullaby was a song published by Gladys Rich in 1932. The narrator of the piece is a nursemaid, who is putting the baby in her care to sleep. The lyrics suggest that the two share a relationship which is much deeper and more loving than that which the infant and her parents have.

American Lullaby is a saddening commentary on how achieving the “American Dream” often ends with unintended results. In this specific case, the baby’s parents have achieved what is perceived to be the perfect life. Daddy is a successful stockbroker whose family has relative wealth; Mommy is gone to her bridge party and does not seem to interact with her child, allowing the nursemaid to provide what little nurturing her child receives.

American Lullaby was dedicated to Helen-Claire Moyle, and its copyright is currently held be G. Schirmer (Inc.).

This piece has been performed professionally by Clarissa Ocampo, Bridgette Cooper-Anderson, Jay Pierson, John O'Brien and The Louise Toppin Trio.

Lyrics

Hush-a-bye you sweet little baby and don’t you cry any more.
Daddy is down at his stockbroker’s office a keeping the wolf from the door.
Nursie will raise the window shade high,
So you can see the cars whizzing by.
Home in a hurry each daddy must fly
To a baby like you.

Hush-a-bye you sweet little baby and close those pretty blue eyes.
Mother has gone to her weekly bridge party to get her wee baby the prize.
Nursie will turn the radio on
So you can hear a sleepy-time song,
Sung by a lady whose poor heart must long
For a baby like you.

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, October 14, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.