Nursery RhymesTuru, Ngger, Turu
Turu, Ngger, TuruTuru, Ngger, Turu
A lullaby from Indonesia

Turu, Ngger, Turu

Key: A minor~55 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Javanese, Indonesia
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Turu, Ngger, Turu Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the Javanese cradle-song tradition of Java, Indonesia’s most populous island, known for its terraced rice fields and the shimmering sound of gamelan orchestras. Here you will find the lyrics, meaning, and chords.

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Lyrics & chords

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

Verse

Am Dm Am
Turu, ngger, turu, the rice fields have gone still,
Dm Am E7
the gamelan bells have quieted down upon the hill.
Am Dm Am
Turu, ngger, turu, the volcano stands so tall,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s light will wake you gently after all.
In English

What the words mean

“Sleep, little one, sleep, the rice fields have gone still, the gamelan bells have quieted down upon the hill. Sleep, little one, sleep, the volcano stands so tall, tomorrow’s light will wake you gently after all.”
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Chords — guitar & piano

Am
x
Guitar
CEA
Piano
Dm
xx
Guitar
DFA
Piano
E7
Guitar
EBG#
Piano
Good to know

What “Turu, Ngger, Turu” Means

Java, Indonesia’s most populous island, is known for its terraced rice fields, the shimmering percussion of gamelan orchestras, and volcanic peaks that rise over the landscape. “Turu” means “sleep” and “ngger” is a warm, affectionate term for a child in the Javanese language. This original lullaby draws on these central images of Javanese daily life.

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