Meaning of "All The Pretty Li'l Horses" by Shawn Colvin

The lullaby "All The Pretty Li'l Horses" carries a haunting beauty within its melody and lyrics. At first glance, the song appears to be a soothing lullaby, encouraging a child to drift off to sleep with promises of dreams featuring pretty horses. However, a closer examination reveals a more somber undertone. The mention of horses being black and blue, typically colors associated with bruises or pain, hints at the presence of suffering in the world. The repetition of "sorrow, too" alongside the imagery of the pretty horses suggests that even amidst beauty, darkness and sadness exist. This juxtaposition of light and dark, beauty and sorrow, reflects the complexities of life itself. The reassurance to the child to hush and not cry may also be a message for listeners to find solace in the midst of hardships. Overall, "All The Pretty Li'l Horses" serves as a poignant reminder of the duality of existence, where joy and sorrow often coexist.