Title: “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”
General Information about Item:
- Children’s folklore, lullaby
- Language: English
- Country of origin: America
- Informant: AS
- Date Collected: October 20, 2021
Informant Data:
- AS was born in Walnut Creek, California on June 6, 2001. She lived with her mother, father, and three brothers growing up. She has one older brother and twin younger brothers. Her extended family resides in California, Oregon, and Idaho. Her family did not practice any religion growing up and they were very involved with the community and extra curricular activities such as theatre and athletics.
Contextual Data:
- Cultural context: This item is a classic American children’s lullaby. The song is centered around wonderful dreams in order to entice the child to try to fall asleep. It is a common lullaby in America and has been featured in Disney movies such as Cinderella. The lyrics and the tone of this lullaby are gentle and soothing to ease the child to sleep.
- Social Context: AS family is very musically inclined so arts, music, and singing was very common in her house growing up. Her mom would sing her lullabies almost every night before bed. Since Cinderella was AS favorite Disney princess, her mother often sang this lullaby since it is featured in the movie. AS remembers learning this from her mom singing it to her and then AS sang this lullaby to her younger brothers to help put them down for a nap.
Item:
“A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you’re fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartache
Whatever you wish for you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow ill come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true”
- This lullaby features rhyming and soothing words associated with love and joy like “wish” and “love”. It is designed to make sleep and dreaming appealing to a young child both in terms of sleep and reaching for your dreams in real life.
Associated File:
Informants Comments:
“I will share this lullaby with my children when I am older since it is one of my cherished memories with my mom.”
Collector:
Ali Silva
Dartmouth College
Russian 13
Professor Gronas and Professor Apresyan
Fall 2021
Tags:
Dartmouth
Students
Verbal Folklore
English Lullaby
Children