She gained an BFA degree from Missouri State University in graphic arts and photography in 1986 and a an MA from Antioch University in creative writing in 1995. Her official bio describes her as a ' veteran journalist, teacher, author, musician, student of folklore, and creator of Elder Mountain Press',
Missouri Waltz
Marideth Sisco Lyrics
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Rest your head upon my breast while mama hums a tune
The sandman is calling when shadows are falling
While the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by
Way down in Missouri where I heard this melody
When I was just a little baby on my mama's knee
The old folks were humming, the banjos were strumming
Hush-a-bye, my baby, go to sleep on mama's knee
Journey back to these old hills in dreams again with me
It seems like your mama was there once again
And the old folks were strumming that same old refrain
Way down in Missouri where I heard this lullaby
When the stars were blinking and the moon was shining high
And I hear mama calling as in days long ago
Singing hush-a-bye
"Misouri Waltz" is a sweet and nostalgic song that reflects on happy memories and lullabies from the past. The singer is a mother who is trying to soothe her baby into sleep as she hums a tune, and as she rocks her baby, she is transported back to her childhood in Missouri where she first heard this melody. She remembers the banjos strumming and the old folks humming and how it was so sweet and low. She dreams of her childhood hills and her mother singing the same lullaby. The song ends with the mother hearing her own mother calling her with the same tune. The lyrics indicate a love of home, the simplicity and beauty of childhood, and a strong connection to memory through music.
The song "Missouri Waltz" was written by Frederick Knight Logan and James Royce Shannon in 1914. The song was originally titled "Hush-a-bye, Ma Baby (Missouri Waltz)" which explains the inclusion of the phrase in the lyrics. Despite its success as a waltz tune, the song was adopted as the focus of a political campaign in 1949 with altered lyrics. The tune was modified and turned into a campaign song for Missouri Senator Francis G. Blair Jr. He ran on the platform that the state song should be "Missouri Waltz". The song eventually became the official state song of Missouri in 1949.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush-a-bye, my baby, slumber time is coming soon
Be quiet, my child, it's almost time to sleep
Rest your head upon my breast while mama hums a tune
Lay your head on my chest while I sing a song
The sandman is calling when shadows are falling
When it becomes dark, it's time for sleep
While the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by
The gentle wind reminds me of days gone by
Way down in Missouri where I heard this melody
I heard this song a long time ago in Missouri
When I was just a little baby on my mama's knee
I was a small child sitting on my mother's lap
The old folks were humming, the banjos were strumming
Elderly people were humming while playing the banjo
So sweet and low
The song was calming and gentle
Hush-a-bye, my baby, go to sleep on mama's knee
Sleep while sitting on my lap
Journey back to these old hills in dreams again with me
In your dreams, travel with me back to this place
It seems like your mama was there once again
In my dream, it feels like my mother is still alive
And the old folks were strumming that same old refrain
Elderly people were playing the same song again
Way down in Missouri where I heard this lullaby
I heard this calming song in Missouri
When the stars were blinking and the moon was shining high
The sky was filled with stars, and the moon was bright
And I hear mama calling as in days long ago
I hear my mother calling me, just like she used to
Singing hush-a-bye
She sings a calming lullaby to put me to sleep
Contributed by Alaina C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.