Original Rock-a-bye Baby were first published in Mother Goose’s Melody (1765). We’ve chosen the popular version of the lyrics, followed by alternate verses.
A
Rock-a-bye, Baby,
In the tree top:
When the wind blows,
The cradle will rock;
When the Bough breaks,
The cradle will fall;
Down will come baby,
Cradle and all.
Alternate lyrics from The Real Mother Goose (1916)
Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green;
Father’s a nobleman, mother’s a queen;
And Betty’s a lady, and wears a gold ring;
And Johnny’s a drummer, and drums for the king.
