Pretty Little Horses
Hayley Westenra Lyrics


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Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little baby
When you wake, you will have cake
And all the pretty little horses

Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
Coach and six white horses
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little baby

Way down yonder, down in the meadow
There's a poor little lamby
Bees and butterflies flitting round his eyes
He's crying out for his mammy

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little baby
When you wake, you will have cake
And all the pretty little horses

Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
Coach and six white horses
Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
All the pretty little horses

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep you little baby




Go to sleep you little baby
All the pretty little horses

Overall Meaning

The song "Pretty Little Horses" by Hayley Westenra is a lullaby that soothes and calms a crying baby. The lyrics begin with a sweet and gentle command to the baby to stop crying and go to sleep. The promise of a cake upon waking up is a reward for the baby's peaceful slumber. The imagery of horses is used throughout the song to create a comforting and pleasant atmosphere. The horses are described as being black, bay, dappled and grey, which suggests that they are diverse and various breeds. The description of a coach and six white horses is indicative of a luxurious ride, and it creates an enchanting vision in the baby's mind. The song ends with a repetition of the initial command to rest and sleep peacefully, accompanied by the idea of pretty little horses to lull and calm the baby.


The second half of the song creates a visual picture of a crying lamb in a meadow calling out for its mother. This image adds a touch of realism and encourages the baby to value its mother’s presence. The reference to bumblebees and butterflies flitting around the lamb’s eyes is an example of a simple yet aesthetically pleasing description of the natural environment. In this section, the calming effect of horses is also reiterated. The song ends with a final appeal to the baby to sleep soundly and indicates that all the pretty little horses will be there to ensure they have a peaceful night's sleep.


Line by Line Meaning

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Be calm and peaceful, no need to shed tears


Go to sleep you little baby
Close your eyes and drift away into a peaceful slumber


When you wake, you will have cake
After a refreshing nap, you will be rewarded with a sweet treat


And all the pretty little horses
You will be surrounded by a group of beautiful and graceful horses


Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
The horses in your dreams come in various shades and colors


Coach and six white horses
A luxurious carriage drawn by a team of six immaculate white horses


Way down yonder, down in the meadow
In a faraway location, somewhere deep in the meadow


There's a poor little lamby
A helpless little lamb is lost and alone


Bees and butterflies flitting round his eyes
Insects are buzzing around the lamb's eyes, causing him distress


He's crying out for his mammy
The lamb is calling for his mother to come to his aid


Go to sleep you little baby
Rest well, little one


All the pretty little horses
May your dreams be filled with magnificent horses




Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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