Go To Sleep You Little Baby Lyrics

Jenn March 18, 2021-16:23
bubby (keltic) is another term for grandmother. its a sad lullaby that a father is singing to his child that they are all alone because mom had died or run off, or was sold off. but, they will be ok with grandmothers help. you and me and your bubby makes three. this is an old negro spiritual song remade from the slavery days. Alabaster stone is an ancient healing stone, meant to heal the child from the mothers asbsence. Basically it says "I'm here for you child, no matter what and who your parents are." "rest and sleep", everythings ok. I will take care of you.

Sharon April 6, 2019-17:51
In the original version, sung by the enslaved people, the mother has been sold and the father is gone too. Only the person who was asked to take good care of the baby survives. The original version talks about the "river is deep and the river is wide...will rock you to sleep."
The baby dies too, probably drowned, and "will meet the mama by and by," which was how the slaves expressed hope for family reunion after death.

robert johnson July 25, 2018-9:29
this song is a farewell. It's an ultimate good bye to a deceased child who is being put to rest . At the grave is the headstone or "Alabaster" stone
cold and final . there is nothing lively about stone other than it's pure beauty .
Alabaster is a beautiful stone and is pure ,as is the child .

my thoughts for what it;'s worth

Victoria July 11, 2017-19:27
I think it means that the baby is sick. The mom might have been sexually sick as in aids. The mom might have died in child birth. The dad is broken and caring for the baby. Daddy falls in love again but is still sad. Him and baby die at the end and are happy to be back with mom.

Melly August 9, 2014-10:08
This is definitely a song of abandonment and death. The mother and father for whatever reasons have abandoned the baby and it dies hence the laying your bones on the alabaster stones (a tombstone). Beautiful but sad song.

agraywolfe July 16, 2014-23:30
The song was written for the movie. So the meanings behind it are not that complicated. They Needed a lullaby for that part.

AY July 9, 2014-7:18
The song is cat call/lullaby. As what the writers said. Every line is an incentive to seduce and make the person feel wanted and loved. "You and me and the devil makes three don't need no other loving baby" Suggests that even though it could be sinful (the devil '3') it's 'okay' to go through with. "Honey on a rock and the sugar don't stop gonna bring the bottle to the baby" is obvious. "Honey on a rock" is a sexual term and "Sugar don't stop" means affection. "Bring the bottle to the baby" meaning that they are going to give this affection. "Everybody's gone to the cotton and the corn don't leave nobody but the baby." Meaning that they are alone and it's safe. "Come lay your bones on the alabaster stones and be my ever loving baby" Alabaster stone in a spiritual sense is used to heal a person. Both physically and mentally. Meaning "come lay your bones on the alabaster stones" suggests that the seducer wants to and feels the need to heal this person. "And be my ever loving baby" and to be with them forever. Going back to when i said that alabaster stones are meant to heal a person physically and mentally translate back to the second and eighth verses of the song, "your mamma gone away and your daddy's gone to stay don't leave nobody but the baby" and "She's long gone with her red shoes on gonna need another loving baby" as that the seducer understands that this person has been hurt by love of all types. "Your mamma gone away" could mean she is dead or left the family. "Daddy's gone to stay" meaning he found another person to love, leaving the 'baby' alone. And "shes long gone with her red shoes on" goes back to in the ye olden day's the "red shoe" was know as the 'ima get some' shoe. And that she is moving on looking for "another ever loving baby"
So really, in my opinion and just really looking into the lyrics and hearing what the writers have to say. This isn't a song i'd want to sing to my child, unless you were telling it a story about love. Then in that case, is a tragic lullaby. Which this is.

kaleigh July 24, 2012-1:35
The family belonged to a slave trader, the mother was sold, marching away with her bloody feet from hard work, and the father is dead. The baby is poisoned because no one can care for it.

Lou July 18, 2012-15:51
Look up Lilith and Lullaby for the real answer.From wikipedia- In Biblical tradition, Lilith was a demon who was believed to steal children's souls...the term may come from Lilith bye or Lilith Abi

hay rose July 18, 2012-15:09
the mother had the baby by accident. the fater was one of her customers. she posions the baby. and walks away quietly.