“Hush Little Baby” deviate from an older song that wasn’t meant for children.

“Hush Little Baby” deviate from an older song that wasn’t meant for children. That’s right. This wasn’t originally a children song. The origin song had another meaning I’m sure no one would sing to a child under eighteen nowadays. But bear in mind when the song came into existent people got married at a much earlier age.

“Hush little baby, don’t say a word,” By Mother Goose

Hush little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns to brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Papa’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town!

The original song wasn’t called “Hush Little Baby Don’t Say a Word” That came along years later. Actually, the 20th century. It was originally called “Momma, Momma Has I Heard?” It was originally a song for marriageable aged teenagers. Not infants.

Momma, momma has I heard?
Papa’s gonna buy me a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird won’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy me a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns to brass,
Papa’s gonna buy me a looking glass.

And if that looking glass don’t shine,
Papa’s gonna shoot that beau of mine.

It came from an incept myth that mirrors and diamond only shine or didn’t tarnish for innocent wives and virgins. So you can imagine how old the original song must be.

Yes, there really was a test for a woman’s innocence or virtues in the Middle Ages and continued into the 1800’s.

Her innocence depended on whether or not either a looking glass clearly shine back her reflection or if a cheap piece of jewelry tarnished. Never mind they both may had been ill made or not made from real gold. If that mirror didn’t shine the father should force her suitor to marry her. If he refused then the father had a right to shoot him. Now, how many beaus got shot? I don’t know. But I assume quiet a few for a father to use that as a test to see if he was going to have to shoot his daughter’s boyfriend.