I enjoyed this article so much! Music and pregnancy have always been deeply intertwined for me. I have four little ones, and each one has had a "womb song" that I sang to them through the pregnancy and after they were born. It was delightful to read of other mothers' relationships with music and pregnancy/ birth.
Sure! So for my first, I sang "Flying Dreams" by Jerry Goldsmith from Don Bluth's The Secret of NIMH. When I was a child, I fell in love with the song and knew I wanted to sing it to my baby some day, and so when I found out I was expecting, this was the song, bridging that mystery of who was and who I was becoming.
For my second, I found i kept getting the Christmas song "Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming" stuck in my head, long after Christmas was over. I decided if it kept coming back to me, maybe the baby enjoyed that song too, and I became more intentional about singing it. She's five now, and this Christmas she heard the song in Church, and encountered this special moment where she felt like the Church was singing her womb song to her and made her feel mothered by her Faith.
For my third, I came across a group on YouTube called Clamavi de Profundis and really loved their long version of "Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold." I had also been going through a Tolkien resurgence in my life, so this song was such a gem, and it was fun to sing because it was so long. By the time I finished singing it to my son when he would fuss, he was usually asleep.
For my fourth, I saw the 2020 film, "Emma," and loved the end credit song, "Queen Bee," by Johnny Flynn. I loved all the poetic nature motifs, especially because all through the pregnancy I felt those vibes with her. I loved long nature walks and cooking with fresh herbs and kept fresh eucalyptus and flowers in the house. And of all my children, she loves the outdoors the most.
I love the story of your daughter in church hearing Lo, How A Rose. That’s just beautiful.
I’ve written a lullaby for each child during pregnancy related to their name — it helps us figure out the name idea along the months of composing it. They aren’t that complicated! Just, thoughtful + slow creative energy. So I sing those during pregnancy.
Also, my husband is a big Tolkien fan, and whenever the children ask him for a lullaby (expecting their special song), he sings the Misty Mountains song and I just love the personal touch.
Thank you. What I enjoy about your womb songs, which little original lullabies cannot provide, is that they can hear the songs out and about, throughout their entire lives! Such as your daughter in church. That is a really special gift for them@
(sorry for the random comment on here, but I've seen you around here and there and I have to chuckle at the fact that the Wordpress blog I kept up until a few years ago was called Luminous and Liminal, so your username catches me off guard. haha)
I'm so happy you shared that! It's a cool moment to share a wavelength with someone I've never met. I'd love to hear more about what you liked to write about. 😊
Dixie, I really enjoyed your and LuElla’s article!
1 - How can I keep from singing? Have you hear Audrey Assad’s rendition? It’s ok if it’s not your style, but I find her very smooth and calming.
2 - Reading about your experience with Sweet Afton, I can only imagine what a treasure that song must have been for you. Thank you for sharing something that was so close to your heart on those hard days.
Music is such a blessing. I wonder how many artists were imagining these settings as the ones in which women would be singing their music? What a gift art is to us in our times of need and rejoicing!
I enjoyed this article so much! Music and pregnancy have always been deeply intertwined for me. I have four little ones, and each one has had a "womb song" that I sang to them through the pregnancy and after they were born. It was delightful to read of other mothers' relationships with music and pregnancy/ birth.
A womb song -- what a beautiful concept. Would you like to share what each of these songs were?
I have found singing in active labor so effective. I can't sing during transition but by then I'm got other things to think about!
Sure! So for my first, I sang "Flying Dreams" by Jerry Goldsmith from Don Bluth's The Secret of NIMH. When I was a child, I fell in love with the song and knew I wanted to sing it to my baby some day, and so when I found out I was expecting, this was the song, bridging that mystery of who was and who I was becoming.
For my second, I found i kept getting the Christmas song "Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming" stuck in my head, long after Christmas was over. I decided if it kept coming back to me, maybe the baby enjoyed that song too, and I became more intentional about singing it. She's five now, and this Christmas she heard the song in Church, and encountered this special moment where she felt like the Church was singing her womb song to her and made her feel mothered by her Faith.
For my third, I came across a group on YouTube called Clamavi de Profundis and really loved their long version of "Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold." I had also been going through a Tolkien resurgence in my life, so this song was such a gem, and it was fun to sing because it was so long. By the time I finished singing it to my son when he would fuss, he was usually asleep.
For my fourth, I saw the 2020 film, "Emma," and loved the end credit song, "Queen Bee," by Johnny Flynn. I loved all the poetic nature motifs, especially because all through the pregnancy I felt those vibes with her. I loved long nature walks and cooking with fresh herbs and kept fresh eucalyptus and flowers in the house. And of all my children, she loves the outdoors the most.
These are wonderful!
This is really lovely!
I love the story of your daughter in church hearing Lo, How A Rose. That’s just beautiful.
I’ve written a lullaby for each child during pregnancy related to their name — it helps us figure out the name idea along the months of composing it. They aren’t that complicated! Just, thoughtful + slow creative energy. So I sing those during pregnancy.
Also, my husband is a big Tolkien fan, and whenever the children ask him for a lullaby (expecting their special song), he sings the Misty Mountains song and I just love the personal touch.
I love that you write your lullabies for your children yourself! That makes it so personal and special for them. That's really beautiful.
Thank you. What I enjoy about your womb songs, which little original lullabies cannot provide, is that they can hear the songs out and about, throughout their entire lives! Such as your daughter in church. That is a really special gift for them@
A womb song is a *lovely* idea!
(sorry for the random comment on here, but I've seen you around here and there and I have to chuckle at the fact that the Wordpress blog I kept up until a few years ago was called Luminous and Liminal, so your username catches me off guard. haha)
I'm so happy you shared that! It's a cool moment to share a wavelength with someone I've never met. I'd love to hear more about what you liked to write about. 😊
Haley is the best! You should check out her substack (where she does really intelligent weekly roundups).
Dixie, I really enjoyed your and LuElla’s article!
1 - How can I keep from singing? Have you hear Audrey Assad’s rendition? It’s ok if it’s not your style, but I find her very smooth and calming.
2 - Reading about your experience with Sweet Afton, I can only imagine what a treasure that song must have been for you. Thank you for sharing something that was so close to your heart on those hard days.
Music is such a blessing. I wonder how many artists were imagining these settings as the ones in which women would be singing their music? What a gift art is to us in our times of need and rejoicing!
Thanks again for this lovely post.
Thank you, Leah!
I have heard that version...it's not quite how I like the song but I agree, it is smooth and calming!
Yes, music is a huge blessing!