Umka’s Lullaby Kolybelnaya Medveditsy — The Polar Bear’s Lullaby

Umka’s Lullaby. “Kolybelnaya Medveditsy” is a beloved Russian song from the 1969 animated film Umka, sung by a mother polar bear to her cub. Its warm, protective theme has made it a cherished Russian lullaby for decades. The song was composed by Yevgeny Krylatov, one of the Soviet Union’s most beloved composers of children’s film music, and it has since taken on an unexpected second life: mission controllers have used it as a wake-up call for cosmonauts aboard Russian space missions, carrying its gentle, protective melody all the way into orbit. Because the original words are still under copyright, on this page you will find the story, the meaning, and simple chords to hum the melody.