A lullaby from Portugal

Alentejo Lullaby

Key: A minor~53 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Alentejo, Portugal

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Alentejo Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, home to Cante Alentejano, an unaccompanied choral singing tradition recognized by UNESCO. Cante Alentejano was added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage in 2014, historically sung a cappella by groups of working men in the fields, its slow, layered call-and-response harmonies originally helping pass the time during long hours of agricultural labor rather than performed as formal concert music. 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 wheat fields rest tonight,

Dm Am E7

the choir’s harmony has quieted now, beneath the fading light.

Am Dm Am

Sleep now, little one, the olive groves are near,

Dm Am E7

tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.

In English

What the words mean

“Sleep now, little one, the wheat fields rest tonight, the choir’s harmony has quieted now, beneath the fading light. Sleep now, little one, the olive groves are near, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.”

Play it

Chords — guitar & piano

Guitar

Piano

Guitar

Piano

Guitar

Piano

Download free chord sheet (PDF)

Good to know

What “Alentejo Lullaby” Means

The Alentejo region of southern Portugal is home to Cante Alentejano, an unaccompanied choral singing tradition recognized by UNESCO, traditionally sung by field workers across its golden wheat plains. This original lullaby draws on those field and choral-singing images of Alentejo life.

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