Missouri Waltz
Missouri State Song and Lullaby
"Here's a lullaby that reminds me of my childhood." -Reva
Missouri Waltz
Lullaby
Hush-a-bye ma baby, slumbertime is comin' soon,
Rest yo' head upon my breast while Mommy hums a tune,
The sandman is callin' where shadows are fallin'
While the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by!
Way down in Missouri, where I heard this melody,
When I was a little child upon my Mommy's knee
The old-folks were hummin' and the banjos were strummin'
So sweet and low!
Strum, strum, strum, strum, strum!
Seems I hear those banjos playin' once again,
Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum!
That same old plaintive strain!
Hear that mournful melody,
It just haunts you the whole day long,
And you wander in dreams, back to Dixie, it seems,
When you hear that old-time song.
Hush a-bye, my baby, go to sleep on Mommy's knee,
Journey back to Dixieland in dreams again with me;
It seems like your Mommy is there once again,
And the old folks were strummin' that old refrain.
Way down in Missouri where I learned this lullaby,
When the stars were blinkin' and the moon was climbin' high,
Seems I hear voices low, as in days long ago
Singin' hush a-bye.
Notes
Original lyrics by J.R. Shannon, arranged and adapted by Frederic Knight Logan (though the melody may be originally based on an old guitar tune).
Comments
This became the Missouri State Song in 1949.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Reva Goltz for contributing this song.
