Notes:

Falling asleep to gentle singing is a cherished experience shared by children of every time and every land. Lullabies are not only gentle songs that are peaceful and comforting, but they also tell a great deal about the people who first sang them. Like folklore, the lullabies came into being spontaneously. It was natural for a mother to sing of things she knew and cared most deeply about. Whether she was the wife of a seafaring man, a farmer, or a hunter, she would sing of her concerns for her husband, as well as her hopes and desires for her child.

The circumstances under which lullabies are sung have given them their character. Songs from each country reflect the conditions, as well as the mood of the nation with which they are identified. The spirit of the melodies covers the entire range from light-heartedness to profound sadness. The lullabies presented on this CD have been collected and arranged with the purpose of conveying a portion of the spirit which various countries represent in their folklore.

It was my personal desire to include "Baby Mine" from the Disney movie "Dumbo," as I believe this is a classic lullaby, as well as "In the Wee Small Hours." Though it is not a lullaby per se, the lyrics tell me of an older mother who is concerned about her son who is now grown and making his way in the world. We never stop being our mother's child.