Dramatically, I do think it makes more sense for Wendy to sing it (or, for Peter to join in later, as has been done) for many reasons - and musically, because the melody's basis is a tune Wendy has actually heard - it's the minuet tune that opens Act I, that the children do their dance to. (Yes, I suppose Peter could have heard it through the window at some point, but there's a true visceral connection between that melody and the Darlings.)
I also arranged a duet version for one production where part of Peter's counterpoint involved snippets of "Tender Shepherd," which is also related to the song by the "Westminster chimes" theme that is part of the instrumental intro to both songs (and is the basis for the "Tender Shepherd" melody). Seems to me that Peter has heard that lullaby before, through the bedroom window. ;-) |
