Sing to me

Many evenings after singing the girls their goodnight song, I think to myself, "I should really write about this tradition before they have outgrown our bedtime ritual . . ."  So, when tonight's request became I See the Moon (we all know this is the only song accepted on a night with a bright harvest moon shining through their window), I knew as I tucked my little ones under grandma's quilts and turned off the light and left them cozy and secure in bed, it was the perfect night to finally preserve these memories.

Our songs have evolved over time to include a small repertoire of a few simple melodies on the girls' "most requested" list.  When Ryan was little, we stuck to primary songs and basic nursery rhymes since that was the extent of my knowledge when it came to children's music.  Caroline garnered a little more excitement at bedtime when we could sing Kindermusik tunes together, and her favorite "Annie" lyrics over and over (I'll never forget her only request, Maybe, every night for months on end when she was four years old).

I guess I have never forgotten my mother singing to me every night before she tucked me in, and there must have been something so comforting in that memory to have continued the ritual with my own children.  I can't say for sure when I, or my older children outgrew the songs,  possibly around age 10, but I am hopeful that this tradition will live on as they become parents and long to once again feel the comfort of a lullaby.

So, tonight, while I'm feeling nostalgic about my own childhood memories of my mother singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and wanting to preserve the lyrics and melodies of my children's bedtime songs, here are our favorites . . .

I See the Moon
I see the moon, and the moon sees me
God bless the moon, and God bless me
Oooohhh, ooohhh, ooohhh, ooh, ooh, ooh

The light of the moon shines down from above
The light of the moon shines on the ones I love
Oooohhh, ooohhh, ooohh . . . .
(from a recording of lullabies, sung by Joan Baez)

Goodnight my Sophie and Elizabeth
Goodnight my Sophie and Elizabeth, goodnight my dears
Sleep tight my Sophie and Elizabeth, sleep tight my loves
The stars are shining so bright above . . .
Goodnight, my Sophie and Elizabeth, Goodnight . . .
(adapted from "Goodnight my Someone," The Music Man)

Where Shall We Go?
Oh, Sophie and Elizabeth, where shall we go?
The world's such a very big place you must know . . .
To see all its wonders the wise people say,
Will take us forever a year and a day . . .
(adapted from "Oh, Rocking Horse" - Sophie's favorite Kindermusik song when she was a toddler

Spider's Web
It's a web like a spider's web; made of silver, light and shadow
Spun by the light of the moon at night.
It's a web made to catch a dream, hold it fast 'til I awaken,
As if to tell me the dream is of you.

It's a web . . . like a spider's web . . .
Spun by the light of the moon at night.
It's a web . . . made to catch a dream . . .
As if to tell me the dream is of you.
(YW girls camp song - Edgemont 21st ward)

You are my Sunshine
You are my Sunshine(s), my only sunshine(s),
You make me happy, when skies are gray . . .

You'll never know dear(s) how much I love you.

Please don't take my Sunshine(s) away.
(no need to explain this song, just one of our favorites)

Ladybug, Ladybug
Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home
Your house is on fire and your children are gone,
All except one, her name is Sophie Ann . . .
She crept under the pudding pan.
Butterfly, Butterfly
Butterfly, Butterfly, fly away home
Your house is on fire and your children are gone,
All except one, her name is Liza Jane . . .
She flew under the window pane.

(thanks to Mother Goose for her "Ladybug, Ladybug" rhyme, which we added our personal melody and new lyrics to match Sophie and Liza's nicknames).