"Hush, Little Baby" is a traditional folk lullaby, thought to have been written in the Southern United States. This was adapted into an Appalachian or bluegrass fiddle tune variant called Say Darling Say. There is also a pop music variant called Mockingbird sung distinctly differently with lyrics beginning, "Mock (yeah) / Ing (yeah) / Bird (yeah) / Yeah (yeah) / Mockin'bird.." and a completely different tune. However, some performances called "Mockingbird" are just covers of "Hush Little Baby".
Hush, little baby, don't say a word Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird And if that mockingbird won't sing Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring And if that diamond ring turns brass Mama's going to buy you a looking glass And if that looking glass gets broke Mama's going to buy you a billy goat
A version published in the July 17, 1914 issue of 'The Osceola Times" (Oceola, Arkansas) described a version as a slumber song sung on the old Alabama plantations. Here is an excerpt:
Hush, little baby, don't say a word - Mammy gwine ter buy you a mockin'bird When dat bird begin to sing, Mammy gwine ter buy you a finger-ring.