Baby Mine – English Lyrics

• By: Alison Krauss
• Album: Various Songs

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the heartfelt beauty of "Baby Mine" by Alison Krauss, a touching lullaby that explores the depths of parental love. Originally from Disney's Dumbo, this song offers a comforting message of reassurance and enduring connection. Learn how Krauss's gentle rendition and soulful lyrics create a warm and nurturing atmosphere, perfect for understanding the emotional bond between parent and child.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears noun - an act of crying
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs of sight
rest /rest/ A2	verb - to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. noun - a period of inactivity or relaxation.
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - organ that pumps blood
part /pɑːrt/ A2	verb - to separate noun - a piece or segment
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. noun - activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation.
mind /maɪnd/ A2	verb - to be bothered or concerned by something noun - the faculty of consciousness and thought
say /seɪ/ A1	verb - to utter words
sparkle /ˈspɑːrkl/ B2	verb - to shine brightly with flashes of light noun - a flash of light; a gleam.
shine /ʃaɪn/ A2	verb - to emit light noun - brightness
tear /tɪər/ A2	noun - a drop of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye
sweet /swiːt/ A2	adjective - having a pleasant taste
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have strong affection for noun - a strong affection
people /ˈpiːpl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively.
scold /skoʊld/ B2	verb - to reprimand severely
hold /hoʊld/ A2	verb - to grasp, carry, or support with one's hands
head /hed/ A1	noun - the part of the body above the neck
toes /toʊz/ A1	noun - the digits of the foot
precious /ˈpreʃəs/ B1	adjective - of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly

Key Grammar Structures

• Baby mine, don't you cry

  ➔ Imperative with "don't"

  ➔ This uses the imperative mood to tell the baby *not* to cry. "Don't" + base form of the verb creates the negative imperative.

• Rest your head close to my heart

  ➔ Imperative (implied)

  ➔ While not explicitly stated, there's an implied imperative. It's like saying "*You should* rest your head..."

• Never to part, baby of mine

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose (with negative)

  ➔ "Never to part" is an infinitive phrase expressing the purpose of the previous action (resting the head). It shows the intention *not to separate*. "To part" means to separate.

• Don't you mind what they say

  ➔ Imperative with "don't" + indirect question

  ➔ This is another negative imperative, instructing the baby to not be bothered by "what they say." "What they say" is an indirect question acting as the object of the verb "mind."

• Let those eyes sparkle and shine

  ➔ Imperative with "let"

  ➔ "Let" introduces an imperative, granting permission or encouraging an action. Here, it's encouraging the baby's eyes to sparkle and shine.

• If they knew sweet little you

  ➔ Second Conditional (unreal present)

  ➔ This sets up a hypothetical situation. "If + simple past," showing a condition that is unlikely or impossible in the present. The result is in the next line.

• They'd end up loving you too

  ➔ Conditional result clause (Second Conditional)

  ➔ This is the result clause of the second conditional. "Would/Could/Might + base form of verb" indicates the consequence of the unreal condition. Here, 'they' would end up loving the baby.

• What they'd give just for the right to hold you

  ➔ Ellipsis and Conditional

  ➔ This line contains ellipsis (omission of words). It implies "What *would* they give...". This again follows the second conditional pattern, showing what *would* happen *if* they had the right to hold the baby. The verb "give" is used idiomatically to mean sacrifice.