The origin of this song is not fully known. Most commonly, the song is thought to be of African American origin. The author Lyn Ellen Lacy is often quoted as the primary source for the theory that suggests the song was “originally sung by an African American slave who could not take care of her baby because she was too busy taking care of her master’s child. She would sing this song to her master’s child”. However, Lacy’s book Art and Design in Children’s Books is not an authority on the heritage of traditional American folk songs, but rather a commentary on the art and design in children’s literature. Still some versions of “All the Pretty Horses” contain lyrics that make this theory seem viable.
Joan Baez (born January 9, 1941 as Joan Chandos Báez) is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician, and a prominent activist.
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry, go to sleep you little baby.
When you wake you shall have all the pretty little horses.
Dapples and greys, pintos and bays, all the pretty little horses.Way down yonder, in the meadow,
Poor little baby cryin, “mama”;
Birds and the butterflies flutter round his eyes,
Poor little baby cryin’ “mama”.Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry, go to sleep you little baby.
When you wake you shall have all the pretty little horses.
Dapples and greys, pintos and bays, all the pretty little horses.