As a child and young adult, Battle was both a good student and a good singer, but her ambitions were not grand. She was awarded a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Ohio, but she chose to major in music education rather than risk a performance career. In 1971, with both bachelor's and master's degrees, Battle set out to teach music to Cincinnati's inner-city youth. While teaching 5th and 6th grade music, she continued to study voice privately, which resulted in an audition with Thomas Schippers (then conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra). He was so moved by Battle's remarkable voice that he hired the almost totally inexperienced singer to perform at the 1972 Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.
The Little Horses
Kathleen Battle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go to sleepy little baby
When you wake you shall have
All the pretty little horses
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a little horses
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a little horses
Go to sleepy little baby
When you wake you′ll have sweet cake
And all the pretty little horses
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a-little horses
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a-little horses
Hush you bye, don't you cry
Go to sleepy little baby
Oh you pretty little baby
Oh, you pretty little baby
Oh, you pretty little baby
The Little Horses is a traditional American lullaby that has been recorded by many artists, including Kathleen Battle. The song is addressed to a baby, with the singer cooing to them and telling them to go to sleep. In the first verse, the singer promises the baby that they will have all the pretty little horses when they wake up. The horses are described as being of different colors - blacks, bays, dapples, and grays - and the baby is promised a coach and six horses.
The second verse continues with reassuring promises for the baby. The baby is promised a sweet cake when they wake up, along with the pretty little horses. The third verse is a repetition of the first and second verses. The song is sung with a gentle, soothing melody, which may have made it a popular choice for parents singing their children to sleep.
Overall, The Little Horses is a sweet and comforting lullaby that emphasizes the care and love that parents offer their babies. The song's repetition and gentle melody create a sense of safety and stability that may help the baby fall asleep more easily.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush you bye, Don′t you cry
Be calm and quiet, don't shed any tears
Go to sleepy little baby
Drift off to peaceful slumber, little one
When you wake you shall have
All the pretty little horses
When you awaken, you will have a vision of beautiful horses
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a little horses
Different colored horses, each pulling a small carriage
Hush you bye. Don't you cry
Do not be sad or distressed, keep still and silent
Go to sleepy little baby
Succumb to restful slumber, my little one
When you wake you'll have sweet cake
And all the pretty little horses
You will find sweet cake to eat as you gaze upon the lovely horses
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a-little horses
More exquisite horses, each hitched to a tiny carriage
Blacks, and bays, dapples, and grays
Coach and six a-little horses
Beautiful and graceful horses, drawing elegant carriages
Hush you bye, don't you cry
Remain calm and peaceful, without fuss or tears
Go to sleepy little baby
Drift off to sleep, my beloved little one
Oh you pretty little baby
Oh, how lovely and adorable you are, my precious child
Oh, you pretty little baby
What a beautiful, darling little child you are
Oh, you pretty little baby
How absolutely darling, perfect, and sweet you are, my little one
Writer(s): Aaron Copland
Contributed by Gavin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.