Backward and forward the cradle goes,
Rocking the baby to sweet repose.
Close by the cradle, her mother croons,
"Hush-a-bye, Rock-a-bye" nursery tunes.
Dreamily singing, she patiently tries
To bring sweet slumber to baby's eyes.
Hush-a-bye,
Rock-a-bye,
One song and then another,
And always there,
Rocking her chair,
Tenderly sings her dear mother.

Moment by moment the evening flits,
Still in her rocker the mother sits,
Rocking and soothing her baby dear,
Singing the songs baby loves to hear.
Rocking the baby to sleep bye and bye;
Soothing her dear little baby's cry.
Hush-a-bye,
Rock-a-bye,
One song and then another,
And always there,
Rocking her chair,
Tenderly sings the dear mother.

Weary with watching, yet still she sings,
Knowing sweet rest to her child she brings;
Softer and softer her sweet voice grows,
Slowly her little one's eyelids close.
Drifting at last into slumberland deep,
Mother and baby both fall asleep.
Both asleep!
Fast asleep!
One follows soon the other,
Angels above,
Guarding with love,
Watch o'er the babe and her mother.