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2,150 bytes added ,  22:37, 9 October 2012
Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== obsolete English ''lulla'', interjection used to lull a child (from [http://nordan.daynal.org/wi...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Lullaby_-_Version_2.jpg|right|frame]]

==Origin==
obsolete English ''lulla'', interjection used to lull a child (from [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English]) + ''bye'', interjection used to lull a child, from Middle English ''by''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1573]
In 1072, Turkish writer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmud_al-Kashgari Mahmud al-Kashgari] mentions old Turkish lullabies as 'balubalu' in his book ''Dīwānu l-Luġat al-Turk (Compendium of the languages of the Turks)''. It is also speculated the term may come from "Lilith-bye" or "Lilith-Abi" (Hebrew for "Lilith, begone"). In Biblical tradition, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith Lilith] was a [[demon]] who was believed to steal children's [[souls]] in the night. To guard against Lilith, Jewish people would hang four amulets on nursery walls with the inscription "Lilith – abi!" ["Lilith – begone"] which is a possible origin of the English word "lullaby".
==Definition==
*1: a soothing refrain; specifically : a [[song]] to [[quiet]] children or lull them to [[sleep]]
==Description==
A '''lullaby''' is a soothing [[song]], usually sung to young children before they go to [[sleep]], with the [[intention]] of speeding that process. As a result they are often [[simple]] and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every [[culture]] and since the [[ancient]] period.

Typically a lullaby is in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_metre triple metre], or in a compound metre like 6/8. Tonally, most lullabies are simple, often merely alternating [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_(music) tonic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominant_(music) dominant] harmonies: Because the intended [[effect]] is to put someone to sleep, wild [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromaticism chromaticism] would be somewhat out of character.

Many Christmas carols are designed as lullabies for the infant Jesus, the most famous of them being "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Night Silent Night]".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullaby]

[[Category: Music]]