Nursery Rhymes›Afro-Cuban Lullaby
Afro-Cuban Lullaby
Key: A minor~55 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Afro-Cuban, Cuba
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Afro-Cuban Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by Afro-Cuban tradition, rooted in the sacred bata drumming brought to Havana by enslaved Yoruba ancestors. 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, iya’s little one, the bata drums are still,
Dm Am E7
the sacred rhythm quiets now, upon the Havana hill.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the drummers rest so near,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.
In English
What the words mean
“Sleep now, iya’s little one, the bata drums are still, the sacred rhythm quiets now, upon the Havana hill. Sleep now, little one, the drummers rest so near, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.”
Play it
Chords — guitar & piano
Am
Guitar
Piano
Dm
Guitar
Piano
E7
Guitar
Piano
Good to know
What “Afro-Cuban Lullaby” Means
“Iya” means mother in Yoruba, and it is also the name of the largest of the three sacred bata drums, the one that leads the others. This original lullaby draws on those bata-drum and rhythm images of Afro-Cuban life, with “iya” used as a warm address rather than a literal translation.
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