Nursery RhymesMaori Lullaby
Maori LullabyMaori Lullaby
A lullaby from New Zealand

Maori Lullaby

Key: A minor~54 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Maori, New Zealand
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Maori Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the carved marae and kapa haka performing-arts tradition at the heart of Maori community life. Every carving on a marae tells part of a family’s whakapapa, its line of ancestors stretching back generations — a living reminder, much like a lullaby passed from parent to child, that a story only grows richer the longer it’s carried forward. 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, whaea’s little one, the carved marae is still,
Dm Am E7
the poi dance rests until the dawn, upon the sacred hill.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the haka chant is near,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.
In English

What the words mean

“Sleep now, whaea’s little one, the carved marae is still, the poi dance rests until the dawn, upon the sacred hill. Sleep now, little one, the haka chant is near, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.”
Play it

Chords — guitar & piano

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

What “Maori Lullaby” Means

“Whaea” means mother (or a respected auntie) in Maori. The marae, a carved communal meeting ground, is the heart of Maori community life, where kapa haka performances of chant, poi dance, and haka are passed down through generations. This original lullaby draws on those marae and performing-arts images of Maori life, with “whaea” used as a warm address rather than a literal translation.

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