This thesis is the culmination of a four year research project which encompassed analysing lullaby texts, exploring lullaby performance contexts, researching how the lullaby functions, and considering its role in modern family life in Scotland and the UK. The aim of this ethnological study has been to record and analyze current perceptions of the lullaby; ascertain whether the tradition is, as has been suggested, a dying one; discover which lullabies are in the common repertoire; and explore how they are used. This has been achieved by recording autobiographical memory narratives, and direct experiences, from children, parents, grandparents, semi-professional and professional musicians, and songwriters, in a bid to understand lullabies in their social and cultural contexts. Fieldwork carried out with mother and baby groups introduced a workshop programme to teach lullabies and record what impact the introduction of regular lullaby singing made to the infant sleep-time routine. The research also explores and highlights the many ways that lullabies are used in the fields of medical science and music therapy. This thesis demonstrates that this form of song has many important functions including developmental, psychological, social, and therapeutic, and thus the study reveals the power of the lullaby and opens up many avenues for further research.

This research is an investigation of how the lullaby, which is often viewed as purely a simple and pretty song, is a multifaceted vocal tradition that carries historical and cultural significance. As an exploration of how sociocultural factors impact the emotions expressed and the stories told in lullabies, this research encourages deeper examinations of lullaby texts in relation to the historical, cultural, and social aspects reflected in their textual themes. Through the close analysis of text and music of folk and art song lullabies, I propose that the lullaby's function extends beyond putting a baby to sleep; the further roles of the lullaby encompass cultural connections and therapeutic functions for both the parent and child. As a result of these sociocultural considerations, dialogue exists between the lullaby text and its music that do not always match the song's primary intent to provide peace and comfort.

Neišnešioto naujagimio adaptacija ankstyvuoju naujagimystės laikotarpiu yra ypač svarbi tolesnei jo gyvenimo kokybei. Šiuo jautriu vystymosi laikotarpiu aplinkos sukeliamam stresui mažinti taikoma muzikos terapija. Tačiau jos poveikis raidai nėra iki galo aiškus, be to, naudojami įvairūs muzikos terapijos būdai. Labai mažo gimimo svorio naujagimių stimuliacija muzika turi būti adekvati dėl jų fiziologinio nebrandumo, todėl muziką jiems reikėtų pateikti kuo efektyvesniu būdu. Atliktas darbas siekiant įvertinti trumpalaikį ir ilgalaikį muzikos terapijos poveikį. Buvo palygintas gyvai atliekamų ir įrašytų lopšinių poveikis neišnešiotų naujagimių fiziologiniams rodikliams ir elgsenai bei vertinamas muzikos terapijos poveikis jų sveikimui ir tolesnei psichomotorinei raidai. Nustatyta, kad muzikos terapija ankstyvuoju adaptacijos laikotarpiu efektyviai veikia neišnešiotų naujagimių (iki 32 savaičių pomenstruacinio amžiaus) širdies veiklą ir elgseną, t.y. naujagimių miegas yra gilesnis. Gyvai atliekamos lopšinės neišnešiotus naujagimius ramina geriau nei įrašytos. Muzikos terapijos įtaka kraujo įsotinimui deguonimi yra nereikšminga. Ilgalaikio muzikos terapijos poveikio grupėje nustatyta tendencija, kad neišnešioti naujagimiai išvyksta iš stacionaro turėdami didesnį svorio prieaugį, palyginti su kontroline grupe. Reikšmingo poveikio kūdikio psichomotorinei raidai nenustatyta, tačiau pastebėta, kad muzikos terapija stiprina tėvų bendravimą su vaiku ir gali būti aktyviai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Adaptation of a preterm infant in the early neonatal period plays a relevant role in his/her further life quality. Within this sensitive development period music therapy is used to reduce environmental stress. However, its effect on development is not explicit; moreover, music therapy methods vary. Music stimulation of very low birth weight infants should be adequate due to their physiological immaturity, thus, they should be exposed to music in the most efficient way. The work was performed to evaluate a short-term and long-term effect. It compared the effect of live and recorded lullabies on physiological factors and behaviour of preterm infants and evaluated the effect of music therapy on their recovery and further psychomotor development. Music therapy has been proved as efficiently influencing heart rate and behaviour of preterm infants (under 32 weeks’ postmenstrual age), i.e. their sleep was deeper. Live lullabies sooth preterm infants more efficiently that recorded ones. The effect of music therapy on blood saturation was insignificant. The group of long-term music therapy exposure revealed that preterm infants tend to be discharged from hospital with bigger weight gain, to compare with the control group. Significant effect on the psychomotor development in preterm infants was not established; however, music therapy was observed as strengthening parent-child relation and available for active application from neonatal period.