The song itself is believed to be over four hundred years old, though it’s new to Joan when she first hears Julie Andrews’ voice ringing over the sandy wash of the LP. Firestone presents Your Favorite Christmas Music, volume 4. The record sleeve is done up to look like a Christmas gift with an elaborate red bow, mistletoe sprouting from the middle as if it had grown there. And the song feels like a gift as she cradles her fussy one-year-old boy to her chest and sways to the lullaby. Rock you, rock you, rock you. The melody settles somewhere deep inside her. She hums along and pads through the quiet house by the light of the tree.
