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Gishora Lullaby
Key: A minor~53 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Gishora, Burundi
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Gishora Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by the royal drummers of Gishora, who have performed Burundi’s sacred karyenda drumming for centuries. 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, nyina’s little one, the royal drums rest tonight,
Dm Am E7
the hillside courtyard lies quiet now, beneath the fading light.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the drumbeat echo’s near,
Dm Am E7
tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.
In English
What the words mean
“Sleep now, nyina’s little one, the royal drums rest tonight, the hillside courtyard lies quiet now, beneath the fading light. Sleep now, little one, the drumbeat echo’s 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 “Gishora Lullaby” Means
“Nyina” means mother in Kirundi. The royal drummers of Gishora have performed Burundi’s sacred karyenda drumming for centuries, a tradition recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. This original lullaby draws on those royal-drum and hillside images of Burundian life, with “nyina” used as a warm address rather than a literal translation.
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