"All the Pretty Little Horses"

Lullabies are exactly that, a song which is supposed to lull the listener into sleep. They are repetitive, often with simple appealing intervals, and are usually seem about nothing of consequence. However, nearly every lullaby tells a tragic or dramatic story. This one seems to be a negro/southern song. The very last verse is obviously very different than the refrain or the other verse, and is thought to indicated the sorrow of the black slave ladies who nursed their white charges having been compelled to abandon their own families. However, since the song has been handed down by oral tradition, the real meaning of the song may remain a mystery. I recently heard "All the Pretty Little Horses" at a music student recital, and fell in love with it.


Hushaby, don' you cry
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you awake you shall have cake
And all the pretty little horses.

Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
So Hushaby...etc.

Way down yonda', down in the medder
There's a poor little lambie.
Bees an' the butterflies peckin' out his eyes
Poor lambie cried fo' his mammy

To listen on youtube