“Hush, Little Baby” is a traditional lullaby, thought to have been written in the Southern United States. Like most folk songs, the author and date of origin are unknown. The lyrics promise all kinds of rewards to the child if they are quiet. The simple structure allows more verses to be added ad lib.
The song has been performed and recorded by many artists including Joan Baez, Burl Ives, Regina Spektor, Nina Simone, The Weavers and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Additionally, the song has been adapted into pop songs such as Maurice King’s “Hambone”, Inez and Charlie Foxx’s “Mockingbird” and Bo Diddley’s eponymous song “Bo Diddley”, as well as Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma’s “Hush Little Baby” and Eminem’s “Mockingbird”.
Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Etta James, Taj Mahal and Dusty Springfield have each recorded “Mockingbird”, which is an R&B variant of the song. “Mockingbird” was featured humorously as a car travel song in the films National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and Dumb & Dumber (1994).
“Hush Little Baby” has also been used in the play The Miracle Worker, about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.