Thelma Jamieson                         [The Bressay Lullaby]                                 SA 1980.03.8

In Da Sangs at A’ll Sing ta Dee (published by the Shetland Folk Society in 1973) this charming lullaby is said to have been noted down by a former schoolteacher Mrs E. J. Smith from her mother’s singing (p.27).  (Roud index no. 25914)
The melody published there is the same as Thelma’s but another tune was also known in Whalsay judging by  Jeanette Williamson’s Baa Loo Lilli. No doubt many mothers sang their own versions, for the word ‘Baloo’ or ‘Balow’ has long been used in Scottish lullabies – some of them dating back several hundred years.  Though it was lunchtime (January 9th, 1980) and Thelma said that her young child did not like going to sleep at this time of day, her singing to seemed to work on this occasion..

     Baloo balilli, baloo balilli,
     Baloo Balilli,  baloo ba. 

Gae awa, peerie fairies,
Gae awa, peerie fairies,
Gae awa, peerie fairies,
Fae wir bairn noo.
     Baloo balilli  etc.

Then come, boannie angels,
Then come, boannie angels,
Then come, boannie angels,
Tae wir bairn noo.
      Baloo balilli  etc.

She’ll watch ower de cradle,
She’ll watch ower de cradle,
She’ll watch ower de cradle,
Da hale night troo.
      Baloo balilli  etc.