P nar Kasapoğlu Akyol
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distinguishes it from other folk songs. While singing the folk songs, generally people try to
stay connected with the words and melody of them, but this feeling is not show itself while
singing lullabies. For example, every mother can add special words for her baby in the
lullaby. If we look at the lullabies in terms of performance, it is seen that lullabies are more
convenient than folk songs for improvisation. Also, to note that every mother is an artist and
each lullaby should
be viewed as a unique, original art work (Kasapoğlu Akyol, 2014).
4. Lullaby Examples from Different Cultures
According to oral sources from different countries and to the literature review, it is known
that most cultures around the world have lullabies. Lullabies are generally created by mothers
in the first hand, but in time the first creator`s identity is forgotten and transferred from
generation to generation, become anonymous. Also, there are not determined and sharp rules
for lyrics and the music of lullabies.
In the
Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Myhthology and Legend, lullaby is explanied
by Theresa Brakeley, she points out that in terms of structure and the issues, lullabies are
similar throughout the world. Usually in lullabies similar things are told to a baby like: the
baby is safe with his mother and everything is all right. If the father is out for a whatever
reason (such as hunting, fishing, etc.), also that reason is told. In addition, with lullabies by
creating a peaceful, quiet environment, it is believed that baby's safety is provided by the
angels, saints and holy souls. In this kind of lullabies, there are some topics can be seen such
as: prayers for the baby to have a better future, awards will be given a good behavior is
encountered, complaints of the mother, father absence, neglect, and also there are some issues
such as alcoholism (Brakeley, 1950).
Moreover, Bess Lomax Hawes in her article
Folksongs and Function: Some Thoughts
on the American Lullaby (1974) seeks to answer the question that "Is a lullaby a song about
going to sleep, or is it any song on any subject that is used to induce slumber?" Hawes states
in her article that many mothers sing at her baby not just traditional lullabies, as well as the
familiar songs and songs with words can be considered fun and silly as a lullaby (1974, p. 2-
3). According to Hawes, the lullabies that are sung by American adults to their babies have
three similar stylistic qualifiers unlike the lyrics: rhythm, humming or in the use of nonsense
syllables and the relationship between singing
and a larger pattern of social intercourse. As a
result, it incorporates the common features of all the songs show the same effect (1974).
In addition, Lomax`s research on the relationship between music and culture, it is
found out that folk songs are the tools for expressing frustrations, the unconscious fantasies,
social pressures and the difficulties caused by internal contradictions (Mirzaoğlu, 2001).
Lullabies are called as “cradle songs” or “baby songs”, and analyzed under the folk music by
many folklorists and musicians, on this basis it is possible to say Lomax`s findings about folk
music overlaps lullabies as well.
A limited number of oral sources, a sample research conducted to collect lullabies
from different countries between the years 2002-2007 in the USA by the researcher
11
. Except
11
Between the years 2002-2007, the researcher lived in the USA for 5 years. While living there she
worked as a helper teacher in Washtenaw Community College Children Center for four years. As a
folklorist and a foreign researcher she had a chance to observe and collect cultural information from
friends,
coworkers, and students etc. who live in the USA as well.
Besides different topics,
she started
to focus on lullabies and tried to collect some lullaby examples from different cultures/countries.
After coming back to Turkey in 2007, this research topic was always in her mind, however never had
From Tradition to the Future Universal Language of Love: Lullabies
167
Turkey, lullabies are collected from 9 different countries (Belize, Brazil, China, Estonia,
Germany, Iran, Romania, USA, and Japan) from 17 oral sources. Except Takao Hinoi, all of
the oral sources were women. Mostly, more than one lullaby collected from the oral sources,
but here only one lullaby example is given because of the lack of space. Only Belize and the
USA’s lullaby examples were in English and the same. Because of these reasons, two
different lullabies examples were given. Researcher has a chance to communicate to oral
sources as much as she needed to collect the information. After 2007, when it was needed, the
researcher made connections with the oral sources via phone calls, e-mails and Skype
meetings.
Table 2. Country Names and
Oral Sources Names and Ages
COUNTRIES
ORAL SOURCES
BELIZE
- Marie Gisel Williams (36)
BRAZIL
-Alessandra Bomerenke (45)
-Fernanda Pires (45)
-Lusiana Lampert (50)
CHINA
- Lin Zang Jones (45)
ESTONIA
- Kersti Tepp (40)
GERMANY
- Meltem Çeliktaş (40)
IRAN
- Neekie Raad Özdemir (45)
JAPAN
-Sumie Hinoi (55)
-Takao Hinoi (55)
-Sari Hosoya (57)
ROMANIA
- Maria Vasile (35)
USA
- Sarah Paschall Wilson (39)
- Mary Strouss (85)
- Kimberly Jones (45)
- Phyllis Cole (60)
- Gaye Wilt (45)
Besides Japanese culture, it was easy to collect lullabies from all the cultures. When it
was asked to the oral source, they generally answered the questions easily. Most of them were
very familiar with the topic and they really wanted to be part of the research. All of the
communication was in English. However, the oral sources from Japan had difficulty to
remember traditional lullabies from their culture. They explained that in Japan they prefer not
to sing a sleepy baby and not to distract him/her while he/she trying to sleep. While collecting
lullabies, it was interesting to find out that Japan culture does not have many traditional
lullabies. However, Prof. Dr. Sari Hosoya from Japan gave further information and help to the
a chance to study on it. After having babies, mothers’ point of view was added to her folklorist
identity.
After that time, all of the material had a different meaning for her.