Is "Hush a bye baby" a Nursery Rhyme or lullaby? The words and origin of the "Hush a bye baby" rhyme are said to have originated from America. It was the practice of some Native Americans to place a baby in the branches of a tree allowing the wind to gently rock the child to sleep "Hush a bye baby on the treetop". The meaning to the words of the song "Hush a bye baby" seem to match this explanation. The words to the "Hush a bye baby" song have the intention of making a child sleep it can therefore be correctly described as both a nursery rhyme and a lullaby! The words to the "Hush a bye baby" song were first published in 1765.
Hush a Bye Baby poem
Hush a bye baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock; When the bow breaks, the cradle will fall, And down will come baby, cradle and all.