Nursery RhymesLala, Lala, Okanona
Lala, Lala, OkanonaLala, Lala, Okanona
A lullaby from Namibia

Lala, Lala, Okanona

Key: A minor~60 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Namibia
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Lala, Lala, Okanona Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by Namibian cradle-song tradition, drawing on Oshiwambo, the country's most widely spoken indigenous language, and the Namib Desert. Here you will find the lyrics, English translation, meaning, and chords.

Sing & play

Lyrics & chords

An original arrangement, with guitar & piano chords above each line.

Verse

Am E Am
Lala, lala, okanona kange,
Dm E Am
ombuwa ya mwena nawa.
C G
Eenyofi tadi ninga kombada,
Dm E Am
lala, lala, okanona kange.
In English

What the words mean

“Sleep, sleep, my little one, the desert has settled well tonight. The stars are shining above, sleep, sleep, my little one.”
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Chords — guitar & piano

Am
x
Guitar
CEA
Piano
Dm
xx
Guitar
DFA
Piano
E
Guitar
EBG#
Piano
C
x
Guitar
CEG
Piano
G
Guitar
DGB
Piano
Good to know

What “Lala, Lala, Okanona” Means

Namibia is home to the ancient Namib Desert, one of the oldest in the world, and to many language communities including Oshiwambo speakers in the north. This original lullaby borrows the word ‘okanona’ (little child) and the hush of the desert night.

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