Golden Slumbers Lyrics – A Baby Lullaby

“Golden Slumbers” has that rare magic of a lullaby that feels both timeless and deeply personal. There’s a quiet wisdom in its melody—a sense that whoever wrote it understood how fragile and fleeting these moments of stillness can be. Paul McCartney’s arrangement doesn’t just coax sleep; it dignifies it, treating the simple act of a child drifting off as something worthy of beauty. The way the piano cradles the vocal line, the way the strings swell like a sigh—it’s music that respects the vulnerability of sleep while guarding it tenderly. Unlike traditional lullabies, there’s no pretense of perpetual sweetness here, just an honest warmth that makes the world feel safe, if only for a little while.

Origin and History of “Golden Slumbers”

“Golden Slumbers” finds its roots in a 1603 lullaby poem by Elizabethan playwright Thomas Dekker. During the Abbey Road sessions, Paul McCartney stumbled upon the lyrics in an old songbook at his parents’ home. Unable to read the original musical notation, he crafted an entirely new melody that preserved the first two lines verbatim. The Beatles recorded this reimagined version in July 1969, with George Martin’s lush string arrangement transforming McCartney’s simple piano demo into one of the album’s most poignant moments. This fusion of 17th-century poetry with 20th-century rock sensibility created an unexpectedly timeless lullaby that continues to captivate listeners across generations.

‘Golden Slumbers’ – Lyrics

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
Pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

Cares you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While over you a watch I’ll keep.
Sleep,
Pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

The lead vocalist for the album was McCartney and the recording session for this song was held on July 2, 1969. On 31st July, additional instruments such as the drums, the timpani and extra vocals were added to the song and Lennon participated in the session.

FAQs

1. Why does the lullaby suddenly shift to a louder, emotional climax?

The song’s abrupt swell (“Sleep, pretty darling…”) mirrors McCartney’s concept of a “sudden wake-up call”—a musical representation of a parent’s fierce protectiveness, contrasting the gentle verses. Producer George Martin amplified this with dramatic cellos to evoke both comfort and urgency.

2. Was the song ever used as an actual lullaby for Beatles’ children?

Yes! McCartney reportedly sang it to his daughter Heather (adopted in 1963), and Linda McCartney later revealed it was a bedtime staple in their household. The demo even includes Paul’s ad-libbed “Goodnight, baby” at the end—likely a real-life lullaby moment captured on tape.

Golden Slumbers’ is a beautiful song which you can sing to your baby to put him to sleep. The poem which the song is based upon came from a 1603 comedy, Patient Grissel. McCartney used the first stanza of the poem in his own music when writing the song, while making a few changes here and there.

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