The lyrics of the poem "Cry Baby Bunting" were not intended to be important - it was the sound of the music to accompany it! The song "Cry Baby Bunting" would be sung softly to a young child as a lullaby. Perhaps to explain the disappearance of Father to a crying child! Earliest traceable publication 1784. There is however a version of this lullaby which clearly has American roots - please see lyrics below. Poem - Cry Baby Bunting Cry Baby Bunting Daddy's gone a-hunting Gone to fetch a rabbit skin To wrap the Baby Bunting in Cry Baby Bunting Alternative Lyrics Bye, baby bumpkin Where’s Tony Lumpkin My lady’s on her death-bed, For eating half a pumpkin Poem - Cry Baby Bunting |