Cradle and All - Audra McDonald

It’s time I sing this song for her she never sang for me

The one about the child falling from the family tree

It’s not like she didn’t love me, no, that I’d never believe

It was just so hard to give and even harder to receive

So hush, oh hush, don’t you cry

I’m singing to you this lullaby

So tiny, so fragile, where once you stood tall

Oh hush, oh hush, don’t you fret

Your melody isn’t over yet

And I will forgive you, as you will forget

Or down will come baby, cradle and all

Down will come baby, cradle and all

It’s time I wrote that song for him he couldn’t write for me

He was not the type to jump for joy, hand out cigars for free

It’s not like he didn’t love, no, that I’d couldn’t conceive

There are many ways a man can stay

And many ways that he can leave

So hush, oh hush, don’t you cry

I’m writing this simple lullaby

The girl in the doorway who’s bouncing the ball

Oh hush, oh hush, don’t you fear

For if you are far, or if you’re near

Pretend that you’re here now to sing in my ear

Or down will come baby, cradle and all

Down will come baby, cradle and all

It’s time I wrote a song for her

Who hovers like a dream between the here and there

It’s time I wrote a song for him

Who vanished like a moonbeam in the floodlight’s glare

To who knows where

So hush, oh hush, don’t you cry

I’m singing this simple lullaby

The house has a window where there was a wall

Oh hush, oh hush, don’t be scared

I know that you tried, I know cared

Let’s put it behind us, that noise in the hall

Or down will come baby, cradle and all

Or down will come baby, cradle and all

Cradle and all