My mom used to sing songs to put me to bed when I was little. At the time, I didn't know two bits about the lyrics, I just loved my melodies and rhymes and requested the same few over and over again.
Later, when I was a mommy, I started singing these same tunes to my baby, and was I was amazed when I considered the lyrics from an adult perspective.
One of my favorites is Miss Mary Mack. My mother would sing this one to me with great suspense, with a torturous pause between the two "Hey Bob's" at the end, and scare the daylights out of me. Then I would shriek and beg her to sing it again.
Mary Mack Mack Mack
All Dressed in Black Black Black
With Silver Butttons Buttons Buttons
All Down Her Back Back Back
Now Way Down Yonder Yonder Yonder
In the Jay Bird Town Town Town
Where the Women all Work Work Work
When the Sun Goes Down Down Down
Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob
Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob
Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob
Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob a needle Bob
Hey Bob — — — — — —
Hey Bob!
