Morbid and Aggressive Lullabies Contain Dark Themes and Violent Imagery
Sleep Lullabies: A Macabre and Violent History
In the realm of soothing children to sleep, traditional lullabies may hold a reputed calmness, but a closer examination reveals a dark underbelly. These lullabies, as research reveals, have been passed down through generations with partly unsettling content.
"Sleep, Child, Sleep," a centuries-old classic, is not always as serene as it seems. As Stéphane Aubinet, a musicologist from the University of Oslo, suggests, lullabies can range from light-hearted and melodic to macabre and violent. For instance, a popular Norwegian lullaby threatens a child with being grabbed by the leg and thrown against the wall if they do not sleep. In Russian and Baltic countries, lullabies often involve detailed descriptions of the child's funeral. In "Rock-a-bye Baby," a popular lullaby in the English-speaking world, the branch that cradles the baby breaks.
Aubinet, who has delved into international literature on lullabies and sleep songs from various eras, notes that these disturbing lullabies are not just singular instances but represent a wider trend. He maintains that lullabies often serve as "a mirror of the society of their time," mirroring social values, personal experiences, and even frustrations or anger.
Recent research on the subject confirms this observation. Miriam Akkermann, a musicologist from TU Dresden and FU Berlin, who coordinates the Lullabyte network, explains, "Lullabies are always also a reflection of their time." Singing, even in families with young children, is diminishing, a finding from the Landesmusikrat Berlin suggests. The reasons are unclear, but it may not be due to a lack of knowledge - evident in numerous ongoing projects like the Berlin Sleeps In, which collects lullabies from people of over 170 nations in Berlin.
Further, a study published in the journal "Child Development" demonstrates positive effects on a baby's well-being when mothers and caregivers are encouraged to sing more to their babies using a smartphone-based music program. Singing seems to provide benefits similar to close physical contact, the study authors speculate.
These findings underscore the significance of lullabies, which Stéphane Aubinet describes as "the mother of all songs and the song of all mothers." Nearly all cultures, according to Aubinet's analysis, employ songs to help children fall asleep. Instances exist where each child has their unique melody, as among the Sámi and Inuit cultures.
Despite these findings, many people seem unaware of the sometimes dark texts in their beloved lullabies, as feedback to the Berlin Sleeps In project suggests. A growing trend, according to Akkermann, is that more and more adults are turning to music as a sleep aid. Whether it's due to the music itself or the established bedtime routine, it's uncertain. Nevertheless, sleep rituals generally have a positive effect.
Lullabies, however, are not exclusive to babies. They have been sung to kings, rulers, animals, and livestock to calm them. In some cultures, like Mongolia and other Asian regions, sheep are still sung lullabies. In Scotland's 19th century, songs were sung to calm cattle. Today, providers offer sleep concerts, where drifting off to music is encouraged and even applauded. These concerts, such as upcoming events from the Lullabyte project, serve as research platforms for understanding sleep patterns and the effects of music on sleep.
- In various aspects of life, education and training often involve the use of lullabies in teaching young children, with some for home-and-garden classes even incorporating calming melodies as part of the learning environment.
- The fashion-and-beauty industry has embraced the calming influence of lullabies, introducing sleep-inducing music in spas and salons for a more relaxing experience.
- As people travel extensively, they often seek comfort in familiar sounds, with lullabies being a common choice for sleeping on the go, whether through headphones on a plane or a recorded playlist on a road trip.
- In unusual pet care practices, some animal owners sing lullabies to soothe nervous or aggressive pets, with certain studies suggesting that this technique can reduce stress levels and improve overall pet well-being.
