Not sure. I always found that song odd also. The tune is very lulling, though, so it maybe that helps the baby to go to sleep.

Well, lullabies are meant to soothe the very young, who do not understand the words; the soft lilting melody is what's important. I used to sing 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' to my little ones and I'm sure they would never remember the words to this day. Here are 2 different origins for the words: Origins of words to "Rock a bye baby" in American history The words and lyrics to the "Rock a bye baby" 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. Thus enabling the wind to rock the cradle and the child to sleep! This rhyme is also known as "Hush a bye baby" which is the correct title. The confusion regarding these lyrics occurred due to the popularity of the old Al Jolson classic song "Rock a bye my baby with a Dixie melody!". Origins of words to "Rock a bye baby" in English history dating back to the 1700's The story of the Nursery Rhyme relates to a family who lived in a tree house which was formed within a massive Yew tree. The Yew Tree concerned was believed to be nearly 2000 years old. The family were charcoal burners who lived in Shining Cliff Woods, Ambergate, Derbyshire in the 1700's. The ancient occupation of Charcoal Burning would be conducted by people who actually lived in the woods. Just like like this family. Their names were Kate and Luke Kennyon and they lived in what was locally called the 'Betty Kenny Tree' - a colloquialism for Kate Kenyon. The Kenyons had 8 children and a tree bough was hollowed out to act as a cradle for their children! Shining Cliff Woods was owned at the time by the Hurt family. The Kenyons were favoured by the Hurts who commissioned the artist James Ward of the Royal Academy to paint their portraits. The Yew tree still exists but was severely fire damaged by vandals in the 1930s. More information may be located on the Amber Valley Borough Council website. http://www.rhymes.org.uk/rock_a_bye_baby.htm This second one doesn't seem as apropos as the first one. Perhaps the last bit about the child falling is meant as a warning to choose a very sturdy bough from which to hang the cradle.

Good Question. I don't consider myself radical but I've wondered why so many lullabies and fairy tales have a high violent content and morbid side to them. i.e. Child-eating ogres, wolves, witches etc.etc.

lol i have to do a explanation piece on this question! so thx for ur answers the first one helped out a lot! ya i find this lullaby odd too but as long as its soothing

It's much more soothing that buying them a Mocking Bird

i always thought that when i was little, but i realized that most old childrens songs are like that. like 'ring around the rosey, pockets full of poseys, ashes, ashes, we all fall down' that was referring to the lepers who would put poseys in their pockets because they were trying to hide the overwhelming smell of their rotting diseased flesh. and the london bridge is falling down is talking about how when people were beheaded they would put their heads on poles on the london bridge and as the heads rotted pieces would fall off, the 'my fair lady' is refering to a specific woman who was beheaded and put there but i cant remember the whole story, id have to ask my mother, shes a history teacher. but ya, old kids songs are way creepy.