This week, many of us in the US are springing forward in time! I like to believe that something fun comes out of this time change stuff we do twice a year – like tiny bits of time travel. I cannot say I am a big fan of this concept though it might have made sense ages ago. What about you? If you live somewhere where you spring forward and fall back, do you like it? Anyways, with warmer weather coming soon, I for one, am springing forward with hope and love for the rest of the year(s).
Springing forward in time has been done already – as of today. And also springing forward with hope in the form of quirky yet hope-filled holiday called Festival of Life in the Cracks Day (celebrated annually on March 10). As for love, I bring you the lullaby for Poetic Sundays for this week brings with it World Sleep Day (March 15th annually).
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself
Poetic Sundays: The Lullaby
The Lullaby: Springing Forward with a Song of Love
This week, with the time change as we spring forward and World Sleep Day on the 15th of March, I bring you the lullaby. It is such a beautiful expression of love, and whether a caregiver hums or sings a lullaby (often passed down from generations) to a baby, it fosters a sense of security and comfort for both the caregiver and the child.
Studies have shown that babies can identify a lullaby melody regardless of the language it’s sung in. This means you can choose a familiar tune to accompany the lyrics of your own lullaby for your little ones or loved ones. Furthermore, researchers have noted that cuddling your baby while singing a lullaby can stimulate the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” fostering feelings of comfort, security, and relaxation (source).
While lyrics or the language you write the lullaby in might not matter, the sounds of the words within do, for we do need words that are soft, soothing to hear, melodic. Read more in the tips below.
So What is a Lullaby?
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to babies or young children to help them fall asleep. The word derives from Middle English lollai or lullay, meaning “to soothe or calm,” and “by,” which is likely a variant of “by-bye,” “good-bye,” or simply a meaningless extension (source).
Tips to Write a Lullaby
While I never wrote a lullaby for my own kids when they were younger, I recall including my own words and lyrics (as well as their names) into favorite lullabies while singing to them. Here are some tips to help you craft your own, should you choose to do so.
Set the Mood
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can focus. Dim the lights, and perhaps play some soft, calming music to inspire you. Light candles, have some comforting herbal tea in hand maybe, anything that helps you.
Reflect on the Why
Think about the emotions you want to convey in your lullaby. Lullabies are meant to soothe and comfort, so tap into your feelings of love, tenderness, and protection.
Brainstorm
Write down a list of all the words that are lulling, that is have a soothing, sleepy soft sound. Pick ones that have meaning for you. Maybe you can include your child’s name or reference specific moments or qualities that are unique to them.
Next, Craft the Verses
Put those words and phrases together in any way you choose – fun, heartwarming, nonsensical, sweet. But make sure it is singable, rhythmic, melodious.
Here’s one structure you can follow:
First verse: Introduce the idea of sleep and comfort.
Second verse: Express your love and reassurance to the child.
Third verse: Encourage sweet dreams and peaceful sleep.
Don’t forget that lullabies are repetitive to further help the listener into a state of relaxation. You can repeat certain lines or melodies throughout the song to reinforce its calming effect.
Choose a Melody
If you can compose your own melody, that is cool and an additional personalized touch to the lullaby. Otherwise, no worries. You can always use a familiar tune (like I did years ago). Or you can look up simple melodies online to use for your lullaby. Remember, simple, soothing, gentle, and flowing tunes are best.
You could have a sound machine on in the background while you “sing” your lullaby.
Additional Tips
Of course, for both words and melody, you can draw from your cultural background or incorporate traditional lullaby elements. This helps add further depth and meaning to your song, and make it more special.
Keep it short and sweet.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to write a lullaby. So write on.
h/t, References, and Further Reading
My Attempt
This is a first draft as I am trying to pick a tune and then might have to rewrite the words to fit into the melody. But this is a start.
Hush now, my little sunray,
My sweet starlight, in night’s gentle sway.
Close your eyes, let worries melt away,
In love’s embrace, you’ll always stay.
~ Vidya Tiru @ LadyInReadWrites
Recently
On My Blog
These posts made their way out into the world on my blog this past week:
- Trailblazers: Inspiring Women Mathematicians Who Changed the World
- Springboard of More: Ten Bookish Finds that Opened New Worlds
- Sunday Scribblings #179: The Triad: Great Things Come in Threes
On the Home Front
I had a WONDERFUL FUN therapy session – of sorts! I mean, I met with my girlfriends for a long overdue visit. We have been friends since our older child’s elementary school days (my son is 21 now and in his third year of college!).
Upcoming
On My Blog and Springing Forward on the Home Front
Hoping to get a few posts here as always, and some gardening done/started as the sun is promising to shine more this coming week! After all, we have plant a flower day coming this week 🙂
This Week’s Celebrations
Literary and Other Celebrations:
- Literary birthdays this week of March include: Douglas Adams on the 11th; Carl Hiaasen, Dave Eggers, Edward Albee, Jack Kerouac, and Virginia Hamilton on the 12th; Alastair Reynolds on the 13th; 15th is Ben Okri; the 16th Alice Hoffman; 17th is Amitava Kumar and Penelope Lively
- The 12th of March observes World Day Against Cyber Censorship
- March 13th reminds us to help others with National Good Samaritan Day.
- Then of course it is National Pi Day on 3/14 as well as International Day of Mathematics
- March 14th is also National Write Down Your Story Day and Science Education Day
- Then we have World Speech Day on March 15th
- Followed by National Freedom of Information Day on the 16th of March.
Foodie Celebrations
- March 11th is National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day and National Sofrito Day
- Since it is Girl Scout Day on the 12th, I am going to celebrate it with some Girl Scout cookies I got this past week (finally ran into the cutest sweetest girl scouts selling some just yesterday when I was out with my friends for that aforementioned therapy session). I got a few different varieties and I just wish I had bought some more now.
- National Coconut Torte Day is celebrated every year on March 13.
- The 14th celebrates National Potato Chip Day and Bake a Pie in Solidarity Day.
- March 15th is National Pears Helene Day and National Peanut Lovers Day
- Celebrate National Artichoke Hearts Day on the 16th
Other Celebrations
- It is Girl Scout Week (Week of March 12, which is Girl Scout Day)
- March 11th is National Johnny Appleseed Day. It also observes National Worship of Tools Day. In southern India, we have an annual celebration set aside to worship all the instruments and tools of our trade, called Ayudha Puja (ayudha means instruments; puja means worship)
- The 12th of March is National Girl Scout Day, National Plant a Flower Day, and National Working Moms Day.
- International Every Girl Wins Day is celebrated on March 13
- March 14th is National Children’s Craft Day, National Learn About Butterflies Day, as well as Equal Pay Day. It is also Genius Day and International Ask a Question Day
- It is National Everything You Think is Wrong Day on the 15th (so… :-)) and World Sleep Day (nothing wrong about sleep, though, right? Well, except if you do it too less or too much).
- After all things wrong, it is Everything You Do Is Right Day on the 16th of March as well as National Panda Day
- March 17th is Absolutely Incredible Kid Day and St. Patrick’s Day
Related Reads and More
- Write Your Own Story Book (5 – 7 years, and up)
- Blank Comic Book: Create Your Own Comic Adventures
- The Book of Me
- You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory by Ruta Sepetys (Teen and older)
- Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life by Dani Shapiro (Writing)
- Sharing a Slice of Wonderful PiE
- Of course, you can always get a cd/stream lullabies for your babies, like this sweet Disney collection or this white sound collection
- I am going to check out this American Meadows Wildflower Seed Packets ”Bee The Change” to spread in my yard so I can have a wild meadow (possibly)
Wrapping up my Sunday Scribblings
So dear reader, this was it for my Sunday Scribblings. I would love to hear your comments on my post(s), poetic Sunday section, and anything else. And which of these days do you plan to celebrate (or any other)? Also, I do look forward to reading your poems (if you have attempted one or the other forms so far?!)
Linking this to the Sunday Post over at the Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Salon
With the time change, the coming of spring, and all these upbeat observances, your post left me feeling hopeful and energized for the new season. What a lovely way to “spring forward”!
Oh, wow. I learned something new today and it’s that babies can identify a lullaby regardless of the language. It might be the melody they’re detecting.
I personally have favorite lullabies and they’re all in my local language.
Wow….now I learn the tips of writing on lullaby lyrics for the 1st after reading here, it’s inspiring me to try on. Thanks for sharing this. Cheers SiennyLovesDrawing
Loving this post and I’m so ready for Spring Forward. How cool is that, that a baby can identify a lullaby regardless of the language. That’s something new to me because I didn’t know that. I’m ready for some Spring like weather.
Great to know also that you’ve had good time with your friends. It’s hard to find long-term friends these days so we should always treasure them.
Oh man, I admit, I hate time changes. I do love that it stays light longer but man, the first few days are tough on me.
I like your lullaby!
We used so many lullabies and lullaby music for my kids when they were little. It took them a long time to grow out of using it as a tool to help sleep. It is interesting to think about how long they have been around and how widespread lullabies are used.
I sang a lot of lullabies to my daughter when she was a baby. It’s funny how so many of them have deeper and sometimes darker meanings!
No, I don’t like the spring forward and fall backward thingy at all. Now 7:00 AM is still dark. I prefer it bright.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts about lullabies. Lullabies are such a beautiful expression of love and comfort, not just for babies but for anyone who needs a soothing melody to calm their mind and soul.
I used to switch words in lullaby’s too. I’d try to make them funny and include the kids names and they loved them. In the end we would sing them in the car on our way to places and keep changing the words to make new ones. It’s a great way to have fun with the kids.
Thank you for highlighting the upcoming celebrations and related reads. It’s always fun to discover new ways to mark special occasions and delve into interesting literature.
This is a very cute lullaby. I sing many lullabies to my daughter but I stick to classical. May be I should attempt to create a unique one just for her.
Tips to write a lullaby! This is sooooo interesting to say the least, the idea itself fills me up with love, I will try it.
I love spring time; it is a time to regroup and be more relaxed and be able to have fresh start. I love the lullabies that i would read to my boys when they were letter. And we always talk about the special meaning behind it.
I am springing forward with the time change and your post has me so motivated!
I am fine with it as it gives us more sunlight and the days get longer which is a fabuous thing after the winter! I am still not 100% in line with the change yet.
Same here in the UK and I just don’t like it! Even though it’s your first attempt at Lullaby, but it’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing the tips ❤️.
Lullaby is one of my favorite music. I am still listening to them even though my kids are grown-ups.
It calms and relaxes me.
I like Springing Forward as a way to welcome warmer weather and my favorite time of year! Loved reading about your ideas on writing about this topic, especially the hope part!
Your post is such a lovely ode to the changes and celebrations of this time of year. I enjoyed reading about the Festival of Life in the Cracks Day and the anticipation of warmer weather. Your discussion on lullabies was heartwarming, especially the emphasis on the emotional connection they foster between caregivers and children. It’s fascinating to learn about the cultural and scientific aspects behind these soothing melodies.
The tips you provided for writing a lullaby were insightful, offering a helpful guide for anyone wanting to craft their own. Your personal attempt at a lullaby was beautiful and captures the essence of comfort and love.
Your rundown of literary and foodie celebrations, as well as other notable events, adds a delightful touch of variety to the post. It’s impressive how you’ve woven together a tapestry of topics ranging from lullabies to literary birthdays to national food days.
Overall, your post exudes warmth, creativity, and a celebration of life’s simple joys. It’s evident that you put a lot of care and thought into curating this collection of musings and celebrations. Keep up the fantastic work!