” Mummy, sing”.
I have always sung to my babies. Even now, when the big kids are feeling fragile they will ask me to sing them a lullaby. Ivy and Noah are no different, although they have taken longer to realise that I am singing to them. Tonight Ivy fell asleep in my arms, exhausted from a busy day. Noah was mucking around in bed, even though he too was tired. I snuggled down with him and he whispered to me… ‘Mummy, sing?’
So I did. The same song that I sing every night. The same song that I have sung to every single one of my children. The same song that was whispered in the night to me by my Mum and to her and to my grandmother. A song that I hope will be passed down to my future grandchildren. It is a song that my great grandfather used to sing on the radio. A song that connects our family.
Family.
Such an amazing thing. My father, who, as an adult, was obsessed with money and success, on one of his last days on this earth, before he gave in to the cancer that racked his body, told me that in the end nothing else mattered but family.
Something that I have always known, took him a lifetime to learn.
Recently, I have been in touch with a long lost relative. Liz. I haven’t seen her or spoken to her in fifteen years but we have connected again. She and I are the same age. She is married and has a beautiful little boy. I’ve been thinking of her alot and as I was singing my own son into slumber, I wondered if she knew this lullaby too.
Come cuddle your head on my shoulder, dear,
your head like a golden rod.
And we will go sailing away from here,
to the beautiful land of nod.
I’ll sing you a song as we sail along,
to a land that is blessed by God.
We’re off to that rare land,
we’re off to that fair land,
the beautiful land of nod.
T - what a beautiful song … though I doubt S & J will enjoy my singing! I must test it out .
Comment by Trish — October 7, 2007 @ 10:17 pm
I always sang to my children (not that I can carry a note in a bucket ), I am afraid it is a lost art.
I love your blog and am off to add you to my blogroll.
So nice to find an Aussie blog I enjoy
Comment by Mad goat lady — October 8, 2007 @ 10:21 am
I only wish I knew that song! It’s beautiful! Considering my lack of vocal talent, I’ll leave the singing to you (Caden tells Mommy to stop singing!). You are definitely on my mind, and I’m thrilled to be reconnected, its like a big hug from around the other end of the world. More soon!
Comment by Liz — October 9, 2007 @ 2:27 am
i always love to sing..i always sing when i put my baby into sleep
Comment by Be Thou My Vision — July 24, 2009 @ 5:20 pm