Nursery Rhymes›Sukuma Lullaby
Sukuma Lullaby
Key: A minor~54 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Sukuma, Tanzania
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Sukuma Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the Sukuma people, Tanzania’s largest ethnic group, living south of Lake Victoria. 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 lake waves rest tonight,
Dm Am E7
the cotton fields have quieted now, beneath the fading light.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the cattle graze so still,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, above the grassy hill.
In English
What the words mean
“Sleep now, little one, the lake waves rest tonight, the cotton fields have quieted now, beneath the fading light. Sleep now, little one, the cattle graze so still, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, above the grassy hill.”
Play it
Chords — guitar & piano
Am
Guitar
Piano
Dm
Guitar
Piano
E7
Guitar
Piano
Good to know
What “Sukuma Lullaby” Means
The Sukuma are Tanzania’s largest ethnic group, living in the fertile lands south of Lake Victoria, with a culture built around cattle herding and cotton farming. This original lullaby draws on those lakeside and farming images of Sukuma life.
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