All The Pretty Little Horses (Hush-A-Bye)

History & Origin

All the Pretty Little Horses is one of the most hauntingly beautiful lullabies in the American tradition. Its images — blacks and bays, dapples and greys, coach and six little horses — create a dreamy, pastoral vision that has lulled children to sleep for generations.

The song's origins are thought to lie in the antebellum American South, though precise documentation is difficult. Some historians have suggested a bittersweet dimension to the song: the image of a parent promising a sleeping child visions of fine horses may carry an undercurrent of longing or loss, though interpretations vary. What is indisputable is its extraordinary melodic beauty.

The lullaby was collected and published in various forms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as interest in American folk music grew. It was recorded by numerous artists across many genres throughout the 20th century, each bringing their own emotional colouring to the melody. The song sits in that rare category of lullabies — alongside "Scarborough Fair" and "Danny Boy" — that are as moving for adults as they are soothing for children.