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"Hush, Little Baby" is a traditional lullaby, thought to have been written in the Southern United States. Like most folk songs, the author and date of origin are unknown. The lyrics promise all kinds of rewards to the child if he or she is quiet. The simple structure allows more verses to be added ad lib.
The song has been performed and recorded by many artists including Joan Baez, Regina Spektor, Nina Simone, The Weavers and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Additionally, the song has been adapted into pop songs such as Maurice King's "Hambone," Inez and Charlie Foxx's "Mockingbird" and Bo Diddley's eponymous song Bo Diddley, as well as Eminem's Mockingbird.
Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Etta James, Taj Mahal and Dusty Springfield have each recorded Mockingbird, which is an R&B variant of the song. Mockingbird was featured humorously as a car travel song in the films National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and Dumb & Dumber (1994).
Hush Little Baby has also been used in the play "The Miracle Worker," about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.
2016 saw this song recorded by Violinist Vov Dylan for the album "World Lullabies" which is acting as a fundraiser for Starlight Foundation
Lyrics
There are several versions of the song, but the most common lyrics are:
Mama is sometimes substituted by Papa, Dada, etc. according to the singer's relation to the child or personal preference. There are simple revisions to the lyrics, but all remain true to the promise of rewards for being quiet.