The two and a half minute piece was premiered on May 9, 1950, by the Boston Pops Orchestra with Arthur Fiedler conducting and French-born American Roger Voisin as trumpet soloist.

[1] It was composed at the request of Voisin, who was principal trumpeter of the Boston Pops Orchestra at the time.

Three months later it was recorded with Anderson himself conducting and James F. Burke (Musician) as trumpet soloist.

On the genesis of the piece, the composer states: "(A Trumpeter's Lullaby)...had its beginning backstage at Symphony Hall in Boston.

After thinking it over, it occurred to me that I had never heard a lullaby for trumpet so I set out to write one — with a quiet melody based on bugle notes played by the trumpet and with the rest of the orchestra playing a lullaby background.