Garifuna Lullaby (Belize)

Key: A minor~55 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Garifuna, Belize

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Garifuna Lullaby (Belize) Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by Belize’s Garifuna community, centered in the coastal town of Dangriga, home to Garifuna Settlement Day. Descended from shipwrecked West African sailors and Indigenous Caribbean islanders, the Garifuna carried their language, songs, and drumming across the sea to Belize’s shore in 1802 — traditions so distinct that UNESCO now recognizes them as a treasure of humanity. 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, uguchu’s little one, the drum beat rests tonight,

Dm Am E7

the Dangriga shore is quiet now, beneath the fading light.

Am Dm Am

Sleep now, little one, the fishing boat 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, uguchu’s little one, the drum beat rests tonight, the Dangriga shore is quiet now, beneath the fading light. Sleep now, little one, the fishing boat is 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 “Garifuna Lullaby (Belize)” Means

“Uguchu” means mother in the Garifuna language. Belize’s Garifuna community, centered in the coastal town of Dangriga, celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day each November with drumming, dance, and traditional foods. This original lullaby draws on those drum and coastal-town images of Garifuna life in Belize, with “uguchu” used as a warm address rather than a literal translation.

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