Song for a Fifth Child
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton (1921- )
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
First, a YouTube Video you will love:
I happened to read this amazing poem on Instagram and upon research landed on
this beautiful website about Lullabies and Lyrics. Perhaps you’d like to visit?
Article Link http://www.lullaby-link.com/song-for-a-fifth-child.html
Song for a Fifth Child
Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!
Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.)
Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep.
Copyright © Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
All rights reserved
“Thank you Ruth Hulburt Hamilton for affirming our priorities as mothers and
reminding all of us to put our babies first and let the rest go.” ~Lullaby link
words worth sharing.
i hope you agree.
Thanks for reading.
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I love this lullaby/ poem. Thanks for sharing Selma. It’s so true. A mother’s job is the child, the house work can wait
Yes. Yes. Glad you know this. 🤗
Been there and done that
😉
I’m so blessed to have been able to stay at home with my children, all three, while they were babes.
Blessed indeed, Melissa. So happy for you. Great start for all involved. 👏🏽
Having a child and making sure they are safe, is far more important than a clean house.
Oh yes! The truth.
Gorgeous video with a strong message. The most important thing to my mother was cleaning; you could literally eat off her floors. She had little time for anything or anyone else. Growing up, I made a promise to myself to always put the people in my life before anything else, and I kept that promise. My house is clean enough to be healthy and messy enough to be happy.
A happy house is the best feeling. You did/do well. 🤗 my beautiful friend.
My house is shocking, Selma, and my kids aren’t even babies anymore 🤭 but we do enjoy lots of adventures in the wild! 🌲 ❤️
Shocking? Then you’re doing it right. Keep going. Hugs
🤗
This is beautiful. As a fifth child I wish it was true.
Bless you fifth child. 🤗
i love this !
Happy you do. Xoxo
I like Lullaby poem. Indeed sounded words.
Happy you do, Raj. 🤗
Thanks, Selma 🙂
This is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Deepthy. Thanks so much for the comment. And congratulations on writing that stellar piece where you took me along on a bus ride. Bless you. Xoxo
🤗💕
Lovely lullaby, Selma! My girl is grown but I do delight in the memories of a house with lots of books and craft supplies to keep the little artist creating! Lots of hugs and laughter, too. 💖 As for cooking and cleaning, when old enough she helped. 😊
And see what that produced? Your beautiful child a grown artist now. Wow. Great job, lovely mother. 🤗
🥰🙏🏻🤗
I’ve always loved that last stanza and it’s so heartwarming. That seems a mother’s job alright and a YaYas or grammies..Thanks for sharing this Selma.. Relatable! xoxoxoox 💗
Isn’t it lovely. Just the permission Grammies and Mommies need. Thanks for the comment, Cindy.
Beautiful poem and video, Selma! I love her voice and the way she sings. Thank you for sharing this beautiful message of motherhood. 🙂
My pleasure, Miriam.
The sooner we learn that our house is not meant to be a public showcase for which we get social points, the more we make it a home that works… that works for the family that Ives there.
I’m retired, but I’m too busy growing veggies for the food bank to have a picture perfect yard. The consequence is that I’m doing what I enjoy.
Jasper, “The sooner we learn … not to get social points… we make it a home” OR a busy veggie yard. You bless me with this comment. Thanks so much. And keep doing those things that bring you joy. I bless you, Jasper. 🤗
Thank you for sharing, so aligned with my beliefs. So beautifully expressed 🎵🎶🎵
It’s a lovely poem. I had to share it. Happy it was to your liking and beliefs. Bless you 🙇🏽♀️