Lullaby
(Text: Rocking the Cradle)
| TYPE | 3 - Complex Melody |
| TOPIC | Chanson du malmarié |
| TUNE STRUCTURE | A4 B8 |
| VERSE STRUCTURE | 3v 4l +4l ch |
| TIME SIGNATURE | 68 |
| TONAL CENTRE | G |
| INCIPIT | GGE♭A♭A♭FGGE♭FE♭E♭ |
| GENRE | Lullaby |
| TEXT SOURCE | Transcribed from the singing of John Doherty, recorded 1953 by Peter Kennedy. |
| TUNE SOURCE | Forde-Pigot Manuscript, Royal Irish Academy p.124 nos.1-6 |
| FIRST LINE | Twas the other night sure I chanced to go roving |
| NOTATED INCIPIT |
Rocking the CradleTwas the other night sure I chanced to go roving,Down by the clear river I jogged alone.I heard an old man making sad lamentations,About rocking the cradle and I alone.Hi ho! Hi ho! My laddie lie easy,Perhaps your own dada will never be known.I’m seeing and sighing and rocking the cradle, And nursing the baby and I all alone.She goes out every night to a ball or a party;And leaves me hear rocking the cradle alone.It’s by the law harry if ever you marry,They’ll leave you there rocking the cradle alone.Hi ho! Hi ho! My laddie lie easy,Perhaps your own dada will never be known.I’m seeing and sighing and rocking the cradle, And nursing the baby and I all alone.So come all you young men that’s inclined to get married,Now, take my advice and let the women alone.For it’s by the law Harry if ever you marry,They’ll leave you there rocking the cradle alone.Hi ho! Hi ho! My laddie lie easy,Perhaps your own dada will never be known.I’m seeing and sighing and rocking the cradle, And nursing the baby and I all alone.Transcribed from: John Doherty, Pedlar’s Pack (Folktrax, rec. 1953).