Haw Boo - Lullaby Exchange

Where does this lullaby come from?

Ireland

Additional Information

Haw boo is an Irish way of saying sleep used in Cork, Waterford and other areas of Munster, as far as I know. So to go “haw boo” or téir haw boo is to go to sleep. Haw boo itself is not an Irish language word, and it may be that haw boo is meant to mimic the sounds of sleeping itself. Haw boo was used by my grandparents and parents and I use it with my child. It is also used in the dialogue of An Cáilín Ciúin, the Irish language film. My Scottish child makes the television go haw boo…

Contributed by Lynda

February 18, 2023

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