Nursery RhymesOromo Lullaby
Oromo LullabyOromo Lullaby
A lullaby from Ethiopia

Oromo Lullaby

Key: A minor~56 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Oromia, Ethiopia
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Oromo Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the Oromo people, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, traditionally living across the highlands considered the birthplace of coffee. The Oromo built one of Africa’s oldest systems of self-governance, called Gadaa, based on age-sets rather than kings, and every autumn many gather for Irreecha, a joyful thanksgiving festival held beside lakes and rivers. Here you will find the lyrics, meaning, and chords.

Sing & play

Lyrics & chords

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

Verse

Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the highland grass is still,
Dm Am E7
the cattle rest beside the river, quiet on the hill.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the coffee trees stand tall,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, above it all.
In English

What the words mean

“Sleep now, little one, the highland grass is still, the cattle rest beside the river, quiet on the hill. Sleep now, little one, the coffee trees stand tall, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, above it all.”
Play it

Chords — guitar & piano

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

What “Oromo Lullaby” Means

The Oromo people are Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, traditionally living across the highlands of central and southern Ethiopia, a region also considered the birthplace of coffee. This original lullaby draws on the highland grasslands, cattle, and coffee trees central to Oromo rural life.

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