All the Pretty Little Horses

Hi,

Today I want to share with you another painting in my Bluegrass Series, "All the Pretty Little Horses." (Click image to enlarge)
Though the song is not a bluegrass standard, it's a traditional lullaby that's been sung throughout the bluegrass region for generations. Some source date this song back to the mid-1800s.

All the Pretty Little Horses (Lyrics)

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby.

When you wake, you'll have cake,

And all the pretty little horses.

Black and bay, dapple and gray,

Coach and six little horses,

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby.

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby,

When you wake,

You'll have cake,

And all the pretty little horses.

Way down yonder, down in the meadow,

There's a poor wee little lamby.

The bees and the butterflies pickin' at its eyes,

The poor wee thing cried for her mammy.

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby.

When you wake, You'll have cake,

And all the pretty little horses.

All the Pretty Little Horses 30" by 40" Acrylic on canvas. C 2006. The lullaby All the Pretty Little Horses has been sung to children in the US since the 1800s. It was collected in the 1920s and the 1934 version collected by Alan Lomax is the basis for my painting and lyrics. The Bridge has ominous lyrics that are usually left off: "Way down yonder, down in the meadow; There's a poor wee little lamby. The bees and the butterflies pickin' at its eyes; The poor wee thing cried for her mammy."

My painting is set in the clouds in the dream world of the little baby. From an impossible object in the center spring saucers (even one flying saucer!) that become the piece of cake with a candle and fork illusions. The pretty little horses on the right disappear and form the baby’s face while the butterflies turn into the baby’s face.

This was the first painting of the Bluegrass Series, which are paintings of traditional American Songs with the lyrics also painted on the canvas.

If you want info on purchasing one of my paintings or my inexpensive professional reproductions please contact me. Richiematt@aol.com

Thanks,

Richard