Rock-A-Bye
Orange and Lemons Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You can rock my baby
But not on a tree-top
You can rock my baby
C'mon dont stop

Then the wind will blow
Through your mind and soul
Hold the cradle still
C'mon lets roll

Rock my baby good
But dont make her sleep
Rock my baby good
But dont make her weep

Hold on the bough is breaking
My baby's gonna crack
Get a hold of the cradle
C'mon don't stop

You should know better
Then to make her fall
I'm gonna get you brother
Someone's head is gonna roll

Rock my baby good
But dont make her sleep




Rock my baby good
But dont make her weep

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Orange and Lemons’ “Rock-A-Bye” depict a father’s protective nature towards his child. The father entrusts someone to rock his baby, but not on a tree-top, as it poses a danger to his baby’s safety. The father’s thoughts wander as he contemplates his baby's vulnerability and the harsh realities of life. He urges the individual rocking his baby to be gentle, for his child should not be pushed to sleep or tears. The father envisions the worst-case scenario where the bough breaks, as the baby's cradle swings, causing her harm. The father warns the individual of the potential consequences if harm comes to his child.


Overall, the father’s message in the song reflects his need for security, comfort, and protection of his child. “Rock-A-Bye” depicts the innocent, traditional childhood game but adds an element of caution that modifies the lyrics' meaning. The protective, fatherly conveyance of the lyrics adds a new dimension to the song, which appeals to audiences of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and emotions.


Interesting facts about Orange and Lemons’ “Rock-A-Bye” include the following:


Line by Line Meaning

You can rock my baby
You have the ability to provide comfort to my child


But not on a tree-top
However, I don't want my child to be in danger


C'mon dont stop
Please continue providing that comfort to my child


Then the wind will blow
When challenges arise


Through your mind and soul
It will affect you emotionally and mentally


Hold the cradle still
Keep things steady and secure


C'mon lets roll
Let's move forward together


Rock my baby good
Continue to provide that comfort to my child


But dont make her sleep
But don't let her lose her awareness or alertness


Rock my baby good
Continue to provide that comfort to my child


But dont make her weep
But don't cause her to cry or be upset


Hold on the bough is breaking
Be alert, as danger is near


My baby's gonna crack
My child is vulnerable and at risk


Get a hold of the cradle
Take action to protect my child


C'mon don't stop
Keep providing that comfort to my child


You should know better
You are expected to act more responsibly


Then to make her fall
Than to cause harm to my child


I'm gonna get you brother
I will hold you accountable for any harm caused to my child


Someone's head is gonna roll
You will face consequences for your actions




Contributed by Kennedy B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions