Lullabies are sung the world over; regardless of culture, place and time. They are a sound anchor that soothes us at the very beginning of life, sung to us by those we are most intimate and vulnerable with. They nurture us, soothe us, send us to sleep and make us feel loved, nourished, held, beautiful. Lullabies are perhaps our primordial experience of music and melody.
As adults we live in a fast paced world, often full of stress, dysregulation on many many levels. The world is grappling with issues so vast and aggression that seems so imbedded that it is easy for us to feel totally out of kilter. Perhaps one small personal step to being in a place where creative problem solving thought is possible – in order to tackle problems- is to self soothe and to access emotional regulation on a profound level.
Music has an almost magical and alchemical quality to it. It can raise us up; we can dance wildly and shamanically to it, we can sing in unison as a crowd, we can be moved to tears or we can be soothed.
Lullabies are lilting, crooning, tender, repetitive. The arc of a lullaby takes us from an ordinary brain wave state to one where we are deeply relaxed. This is a state we need more of as this is when healing happens . Our bodies can renew, emotions become calm, our breathing and heartbeat slows. We deeply enter into a parasympathetic state. We can gain perspective and feel better about ourselves and reconnect with the tender aspects of being human.
As a result, my friend and colleague, Carolin , and I , have created a simple workshop ” Lullabies to Soothe the Soul”. We have designed it for adults who either want to be deeply nurtured or would simply like to learn some more lullabies for their own lives. We will combine sound, singing, instruments, harmonies, meditation, breath work and intention to take people on a journey to a state of deep relaxation and peace. This is being held at Elgin Yoga centre on 26th July 2.00-5.00pm.
I believe we all need lullabies, however old we are, for it refreshes the soul and resets us in a deep and profound way.
A while ago I was listening to Monteverdi’s lullaby, Dorme. A beautiful archaic lullaby which is perhaps more for an adult listener than a child. I decided to write a humble modern answer/echo to this point of inspiration.
This is my lullaby for all grown up children- which is essentially all of us. It has a hint of the Monteverdi one in feel. It is in G minor and goes very low in my range…which feels sort of shamanic and deeply soothing. It moves to the relative major in the last verse. It has a curling descending melody .
Peace
Sleep, sleep
My child
Rest, rest
Your weary heart
And fill your soul
With peace, so deep.
Slumber, slumber
Forget your weary woes.
Find peace deep
So deep, so deep
A peace that’s heaven sent.
Sleep, sleep
My Love
Peace, peace.
May all your tears
Cease to flow.
With peace so deep, so deep.
Wordless call and instrumental accompaniment
Fill your heart
with gladness
Lift up your soul
For smiles will rise from an open heart
So peace and joy to you my love
Peace and joy to you my love.
Wordless call.
I imagine it with a some vocal harmonies, a little sound design, lute and a Cora- a mix of sounds that create timeless, boneless sweet serenity……
May you find ways to soothe your soul and come back to your self, your centre and return to life rejuvenated.
Abi's World of Music 