Getting a little one to settle down for the night often requires more than just a dim light and a warm blanket. For centuries, parents have turned to music to soothe infants and create a calm environment for sleep. This collection of lullabies ranges from classic folk tunes everyone knows to modern pop hits that help kids find their way to dreamland.
Note: I only included lullaby songs with lyrics.
Be sure to check out the Lullaby Songs Playlist at the bottom of this page.
What Are Lullabies?
A lullaby, also known as a cradle song, is a soothing song usually sung or played for children to help them settle down or fall asleep.
Lullabies exist in cultures around the world and have been passed down for centuries as both a comfort tool and a way to share traditions.
The primary job of lullabies is to act as a sleep aid, so the music is generally simple and repetitive.
Folk and Traditional Lullabies
These classic lullabies have been passed through generations, offering a familiar way to end the day.
1. “Hush, Little Baby”
Lyric Sample: “Hush, little baby, don’t say a word, Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.”
This American folk staple mentions a series of gifts to a child to keep them quiet and happy. The repetitive structure allows parents to swap in their own rhymes as they go.
2. “Rock-a-Bye Baby”
Lyric Sample: “Rock a bye baby on the tree top, when the wind blows the cradle will rock.”
Dating back several centuries, this nursery rhyme uses the swaying motion of a treetop to mimic a rocking cradle. Its unusual imagery has kept it memorable across generations.
3. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Lyric Sample: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.”
English poet Jane Taylor wrote the words for this poem in the early 1800s before they were set to a French melody, “Ah! vous dirai-je, maman.” The lyrics focus on the bright lights of the night sky as a child looks out the window.
Related: Campfire Songs Everyone Knows
4. “Go to Sleep, Little Baby”
Lyric Sample: “The chair is gonna rock, but the cryin’ don’t stop, gonna sing a little song to the baby.”
Often associated with the American South, this lullaby uses repetition to encourage rest. It later gained wider attention through film and modern folk recordings.
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5. “Sleep, Baby, Sleep”
Lyric Sample: “Your mother shakes the dreamland tree, and from it fall sweet dreams for thee.”
This traditional German lullaby tells a story about a father tending to his flock while the child rests. It describes a protective environment and the quiet countryside at night.
6. “Bye, Baby Bunting”
Lyric Sample: “Bye, baby bunting, Daddy’s gone a-hunting.”
This old English rhyme describes a father searching for warm materials to keep his child cozy. The short, rhythmic lines help establish a steady pace for a sleepy infant.
7. “All the Pretty Little Horses”
Lyric Sample: “Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry, go to sleep, my little baby.”
Also known as “Hush-a-bye,” this American folk lullaby has roots in the 19th century. Parents still use it for its repetitive structure and calming phrases.
8. “Lavender’s Blue”
Lyric Sample: “Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green.”
This English folk song from the 17th century uses a sweet, nonsensical rhythm. The “dilly dilly” part is what makes this one unique and genuinely fun to sing.
9. “Baloo Baleerie”
Lyric Sample: “Down come the pretty angels, to our home now.”
Originating in Scotland, this traditional lullaby uses soft sounds to create a calm atmosphere. It’s a song about keeping a baby safe.
10. “Frère Jacques”
Lyric Sample: “Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?”
This well-known French nursery rhyme uses repetition and simple questions. It is often taught to children as a round, but it easily converts to a lullaby by simply softening the lyrics.
11. “Brahms’ Lullaby” – Johannes Brahms
Lyric Sample: “Lullaby and good night, in the sky stars are bright.”
Composed in 1868, this piece became one of the most widely known lullabies in the world. Many people recognize the tune even without knowing the full lyrics.
12. “You Are My Sunshine”
Lyric Sample: “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.”
The chorus of “You Are My Sunshine” is one of the most popular tunes sung to kids. Parents sing it to show how much their child means to them, using the sun as a metaphor for happiness.
Related: “You Are My Sunshine” Song Meaning
Songs from Film and Stage
Movies and musicals have contributed many well-known songs that parents have sung to their babies over the last century.
13. “Stay Awake” – Mary Poppins
Lyric Sample: “Stay awake, don’t rest your head, don’t lie down upon your bed.”
In this 1964 Disney film, Mary Poppins tells the children they should not fall asleep. The slow, gentle delivery actually coaxes them into a heavy slumber.
14. “Moon River” – Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Lyric Sample: “Moon river, wider than a mile, I’m crossing you in style someday.”
Audrey Hepburn memorably performed this 1961 Grammy-winning hit while sitting on a fire escape. While not created to be a lullaby, it has become one thanks to its swaying melody.
Related: “Moon River” Song Meaning
15. “La La Lu” – Lady and the Tramp
Lyric Sample: “Oh, my little star sweeper, I’ll sweep the stardust for you.”
“La La Lu” is sung during a nursery scene in the classic 1955 animated film. It soon became just as popular as all of the traditional lullabies listed above.
16. “Baby Mine” – Dumbo
Lyric Sample: “Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine.”
In Dumbo, “Baby Mine” is sung by a mother elephant to her baby during a stressful time. It’s about a parent who wants to protect their child.
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17. “When You Wish Upon a Star” – Pinocchio
Lyric Sample: “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are.”
Sung by Jiminy Cricket in the film, this 1940 track became one of Disney’s signature themes. Its slow pace and nighttime theme make it a go-to lullaby for plenty of parents.
18. “Edelweiss” – The Sound of Music
Lyric Sample: “Edelweiss, edelweiss, every morning you greet me.”
“Edelweiss” is another classic film song that wasn’t created to be a lullaby, but many parents use it to calm children. It has a gentle melody that gets the job done.
Related: “Edelweiss” Song Meaning
19. “You’ll Be in My Heart” – Tarzan
Lyric Sample: “Come stop your crying, it will be alright, just take my hand, hold it tight.”
Phil Collins wrote this hit to describe a parent protecting a child from the world outside. In the film, Tarzan’s adoptive gorilla mother sings it to him.
Related: Best Songs About Daughters
20. “Rainbow Connection” – The Muppet Movie
Lyric Sample: “What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing, and what do we think we might see?”
Kermit the Frog’s classic 1979 ballad is all about chasing your dreams. It’s another song that wasn’t created to be a lullaby, but its pacing works very well for winding down at night.
Related: “Rainbow Connection” Song Meaning
Modern Lullabies
Modern pop and rock artists have also penned lullaby lyrics to comfort their own children.
21. “Good Night” – The Beatles
Lyric Sample: “Close your eyes and I’ll close mine, good night, sleep tight.”
John Lennon wrote this lullaby to his son Julian, and it became the closing track on the band’s classic White Album. Fans of the band often sing it to their children.
22. “Morningtown Ride” – The Seekers
Lyric Sample: “Train whistle blowing, makes a sleepy noise.”
This 1960s folk-pop hit describes a train ride to a town called Morningtown. Charting in multiple countries, it became one of the most successful modern lullabies.
23. “Return to Pooh Corner” – Kenny Loggins
Lyric Sample: “So help me if you can, I’ve got to get back to the house at Pooh Corner by one.”
Loggins wrote this children’s song from the perspective of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin. It mentions all of the famous characters from the Hundred Acre Wood and has a nice, gentle melody.
Related: Best Songs About Books
24. “Puff, the Magic Dragon” – Peter, Paul and Mary
Lyric Sample: “Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.”
This 1963 folk track tells the story of an ageless dragon and his human friend Jackie Paper. It’s perhaps the best example of a non-lullaby working extremely well as a lullaby.
Related: “Puff, the Magic Dragon” Song Meaning
25. “Golden Slumbers” – The Beatles
Lyric Sample: “Golden slumbers fill your eyes, smiles awake you when you rise.”
Paul McCartney based these lyrics on a 17th-century poem, “Cradle Song.” This is one of the better modern lullabies for parents who want to sing directly to their children.
26. “Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral” – Bing Crosby
Lyric Sample: “Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don’t you cry.”
This Irish-American classic became a hit for Bing Crosby in the 1940s. The lyrics describe someone recalling the soothing melody their mother used to sing to them, though parents often just sing the “Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral” part to their kids.
27. “Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty”
Lyric Sample: “Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.”
Though it gained modern fame on the show The Big Bang Theory, this lullaby is based on a 19th-century rhyme. It is short and describes the comfort a small pet brings.
Related: Best Cat Songs
28. “Moon, Moon, Moon” – Laurie Berkner
Lyric Sample: “Moon, moon, moon, shining bright, moon, moon, moon, my nightlight.”
Berkner wrote this simple tune about the moon watching over a child at night. It uses words that toddlers can easily learn to sing as they drift off.
29. “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” – Billy Joel
Lyric Sample: “Wherever you may go, no matter where you are, I never will be far away.”
Billy Joel wrote this 1990s ballad for his daughter, Alexa Ray. He reassures her that a parent’s love remains constant even when they’re apart.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the simplicity of a centuries-old folk tune or the familiar voice of a modern pop or rock star, all of this music can be used as a helpful tool for bedtime. These tracks provide comfort, build bonds between parents and children, and help everyone get the rest they need.
By incorporating these lullabies into your nightly routine, you can make the transition to sleep a much smoother experience for the whole family.
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like our picks for Songs About Family, Songs About Peace, and Songs About the Moon.
