Why do we sing "Rock a bye baby" ?

Question

to lull a baby to sleep when the song is about putting your baby in a tree and letting the wind crash the cradle on the ground? aren't children's stories and lullabies a little scary when you really think about it??

Answer 1

It's a horrid song. Just give the baby Tylonol PM. No need to drop it 10 feet.

Answer 2

It's Such A Macabre Lullabye...

Yeah They Really Are Rather Dark And Morbid. Especially Russian And German Faerie Tales.

I Suppose It's Just A Calming Melody, And The Baby Doesn't Know What You Are Saying, So It Doesn't Matter I Guess.

Some Sadistic Mother Probably Thought It Up^^ Ahaha

Answer 3

well you catch the baby and cradle it to safety dont you?

Answer 4

I thought the same..so we don't sing that.

Answer 5

Take another look at Aesop's Fables! Children's stories, when taken at anything deeper than surface fluff, are NOT appropriate for children at all!

Answer 6

I agree! It's almost like singing, "Hush little baby, ooh ooh ooh. Michael Jackson's coming to get you-ooh."

Answer 7

lullabies are:

1. music to the ears of babies

2. best way to pass time while putting of babies to sleep.

3  opportunity to put one's  singing talent to test.

Answer 8

Yes, I never sing that to a baby. I sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It's not so violent. lol.

Answer 9

Actually they are! It's weird!!! I have no idea!!

Answer 10

That's how kids "fall" asleep.

edit:

Origins in American history

The words and lyrics to this nursery rhyme are reputed to reflect the observations of a young pilgrim boy in America who had seen Native Indian mothers suspend a birch bark cradle from the branches of a tree enabling the wind to rock the cradle and the child to sleep. The rhyme also hold a warning on the choice of bough!

Answer 11

to make your baby shut up

it's like a soothing threat

Answer 12

Of course they are. They have always been about violence thats obvious.

I think its to subconsciously get children used to violence and death. Its not meant to actually scare any child as they wont understand what is being said. I think its just a subconscious thing.

Answer 13

Haha I've never actually listened to the words. That's kind of funny. I just sing it to my kids because, well I just do?