American folk songs often present both positive and negative facets of life. This traditional lullaby is no exception, as it exemplifies the chasm that exists between the “haves” and “have nots”. The baby fortunate to be born to the manor will have cake for breakfast, while the poor child lies crying, and probably dying, in a field. Sing along with Suzy Bogguss here.

All the Pretty Little Horses

Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have
All the pretty little horses.

Blacks and bays, dapple and grays,
All the pretty little horses.

Hmm, and mama loves, daddy loves
Oh they love their little baby,
When you wake, you shall have cake
And all the pretty little horses.

Photo courtesy of kudybadorota/Pixabay

Blacks and bays, dapple and grays,
All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays, dapple and grays,
Coach and six white horses.

Way down yonder, down in the meadow
Lies a poor little child.
The bees and the flies are pickin’ out its eyes.
The poor little child crying for its mother,
Oh, crying for its mother.

Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have cake
And all the pretty little horses.

Blacks and bays, dapple and grays,
Coach and six white horses.

Blacks and bays, dapple and grays,
All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays, dapple and grays,
All the pretty little horses.