Afro-Ecuadorian Lullaby

Key: A minor~55 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Afro-Ecuadorian, Ecuador

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Afro-Ecuadorian Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the Afro-Ecuadorian community of Esmeraldas, on Ecuador’s Pacific coast, known for its marimba music tradition. Esmeraldas’ Afro-Ecuadorian roots trace back centuries, in part to shipwrecked and escaped enslaved Africans who built free communities along this stretch of coast, and the region’s marimba tradition, along with its energetic currulao dance, was recognized by UNESCO in 2015 as part of a shared Afro-Pacific heritage stretching along the coast into neighboring Colombia. 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 ocean waves are still,

Dm Am E7

the marimba’s gentle song has faded, upon the coastal hill.

Am Dm Am

Sleep now, little one, the palm trees sway so slow,

Dm Am E7

tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and set the coast aglow.

In English

What the words mean

“Sleep now, little one, the ocean waves are still, the marimba’s gentle song has faded, upon the coastal hill. Sleep now, little one, the palm trees sway so slow, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and set the coast aglow.”

Play it

Chords — guitar & piano

Guitar

Piano

Guitar

Piano

Guitar

Piano

Download free chord sheet (PDF)

Good to know

What “Afro-Ecuadorian Lullaby” Means

The Afro-Ecuadorian community is concentrated in Esmeraldas on the Pacific coast, celebrated for its marimba music tradition rooted in African heritage. This original lullaby draws on those coastal and musical images of Afro-Ecuadorian life.

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