WHAT IS A LULLABY?
‘To lull’ means ‘to calm or soothe’, and lullabies are generally simple songs with a repetitive melody. The first two lines are repeated at the end of the song, and the tune of the middle line is repeated directly: ‘Up above the world so high’ has the same tune as ‘Like a diamond in the sky’. This simple structure makes it soothing and predictable. There are no sudden surprises or big leaps between notes as these might startle your calm baby into a more wakeful state again. The phrases are short and the tune is slow. Often the rhythm gives a rocking feeling and reflects the heartbeat, a comforting sound your baby heard in your womb. So could you give your favourite tune, whether it’s Ed Sheeran or Elvis, the lullaby treatment? Just make it smooth, slow and low, and you and your baby will have your very own lullaby, special to the two of you.
