Hush the Waves are Rolling In

Here we go! Our first lullaby...

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For our first post, we wanted to share the traditional lullaby “Hush the Waves are Rolling In.” Learned from a field recording of Kentuckian Clarice Garland, it is one of the many treasures among the Alan Lomax Archive (note: Joan’s husband Nathan is the curator of the Alan Lomax Archive).

Hush the waves are rolling in 
White with foam, white with foam
Father toils amid the din 
But baby sleeps at home

Hush the wind roars hoarse and deep
On they come, on they come
Sister seeks the wandering sheep 
But baby sleeps at home

Hush the rain sweeps o'er the knowes 
On they come, on they come
Brother goes to seek the cows
But baby sleeps at home

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Joan: “When I heard ‘Hush the Waves’ sung by Clarice Garland, I was immediately drawn in by the simple melody, the way it plucks up and down the scale. But then makes these delightful ‘interruptions’: the upward reaching of, ‘on they come,’ the delicate little box step that is the refrain, ‘ba-by sleeps at home.’ The story lets you follow the humans and their animals amid a storm. Then the mysterious word ‘Knowes’ captures my curiosity: where did this song come from, how did it travel, how many people have sung it to their child… that is the joy of an archive like this. That a song from Scotland was creaking away in Bell county Kentucky in 1938. This is a story that I could think about from different angles endlessly.”

Sonya: “When Joan sent me her recording of this song, tears sprung into my eyes. I had just given birth to Iris, my second daughter, and I was in a tender space. The simplicity of the tune, the strumming, the sureness of “but baby sleeps at home”, just felt so close. I felt held, as though my head was resting on Joan’s lap as she sang, and perhaps her head was resting on the lap of her beloved childhood Care Giver, and their head rested on someone’s as well, and so on and so on, tenderly back through time….

The lyrics reminded me of something someone told me long before I became a mother — that to be a parent was to be a safe harbor for a new soul, a child. I listened over and over, determined to learn it by heart so that I could sing it softly to baby Iris. Iris was pretty inconsolable — all I could do to hush her down was sway and rock and keep her constantly moving. We took long walks around the wooded land we live on, Iris wailing in my arms, and I sang this tune to her — and to the trees and birds, wildflowers and sunbeams — I imagined I was soothing all of us.”

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For a deeper look into the Alan Lomax archive, check out its new Lullaby exhibit “Go to Sleepy Little Baby”. This includes the original field recording of this song among others, alongside modern arrangements of each lullaby performed by people from each respective region.

Also! Joan just released a single with a studio version of “Hush the Waves” alongside Myriam Gendron’s version of “Fais Dodo” — you can listen and buy the 7” physical copy here.

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Stay tuned for our next lullaby! If you’re signed up as a free subscriber, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription to continue to receive the full lullaby experience in your inbox. A gift subscription would also be a phenomenal gift for new parents, grandparents, families with kids who love music and singing…or anyone!

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