Earlier works, thematically similar to 'Castle on a Cloud' from Les Mis

Cafe Society
1

When I was a small child (early 1970s), my mum used to sing to me at times. The other day I attended a choral concert where one of the numbers was Castle on a Cloud from Les Misérables - it gave me strong déjà vu for one of my mother’s songs - specifically something she would sing if I was unhappy or hurt. Except it can’t have been that specific song, because it wasn’t written until 1980.

So I am looking for a song that is thematically similar; it may be specifically a folk song from the north of England (where my mother grew up), or something else; thematic similarities to the Les Mis song (to the best of my recollection):

  • It was melodic and lullaby-like and slightly melancholy
  • It described a place that was a respite from the world
  • There were details of the pleasantness of the place and the things one might see or find there, but I can’t remember any specific detail

I don’t think it necessarily described a dream-world, possibly more of bright and hopeful future; it might even have been a children’s hymn of some sort - given the sort of promise of heavenly respite and happiness that it described, but if so, it wasn’t at all sermon-like.
It wasn’t There is a green hill far away - it had more descriptions of a place in it.

That’s all I can think of. Any ideas?

2

Not a perfect fit, since it’s not a place, but my first thought is “Hush little baby”. It’s a melodic lullaby used to comfort a child, with the promise of various gifts.

3

It’s a good call, but I don’t think the song was as upbeat as that

4

The Welsh folk song The Ash Grove has lots of different lyric versions. My mum, from Yorkshire, used to sing it when I was a child.

5

Oh, I think it might be that!

6

“The Garden” by Andrew Marvell?