Rock The Cradle, John - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
ROCK THE CRADLE, JOHN. 
Old Humphrey Hodge a farmer was, His age was fifty-seven; A bachelor, too, and well to do, For he in the world had thriven; And Humphrey Hodge from dawn till dark, Was happy us the day was long, For he rose with the sun, and he sang with the lark, And this was his favorite song-
Chorus. Rock the cradle, John, Rock the cradle, John, An old man married, had better be buried, Than rocking the cradle alone. 
Now Humphrey Hodge had a servant girl, As blooming as the day, And she was fair as the lily or pearl, And fresh as the flowers in May; And her eyes shot forth such lustrous beams, That somehow, ere 'twas long. Her image was ever in Humphrey's dreams. In spite of his favorite song- Chorus. 
Now Humphrey Hodge, alas, and alas. Grew tired of single life, And ere the harvest moon could pass, He made his maid his wife; And the sun shone bright oh his marriage morn, And the bells rang out ding, dong, And Humphrey felt like a man new born, And fairly forgot the song-Chorus. -Now Humphrey Hodge and his dear little wife Were happy as any pair, "Until the time that he was blessed With a buxom son and heir; And he sits and sighs as the baby cries, With its lungs so loud And strong, Yet he sings, forsooth, and reflects on the truth Contained in his favorite song-Chorus. 
Now Humphrey Hodge walks round the farm. And his hair is silver grey, With his wife before, and the child on his arm The fruits of December and May And people smile at the silly old man, Being wed to a wife so young. And Humphrey thinks as he Winks and blinks, When his neighbours sing him the song - Chorus