A much-loved Samoan lullaby, echoing the same gentle imagery as “Rock-a-bye Baby” — a baby swaying high in the treetops — set to its own distinct Samoan melody.
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Verse 1
Am Dm Am
Moe moe pepe,
Dm Am E7
moe moe pepe.
(Sleep, sleep, baby – sleep, sleep, baby.)
Am Dm Am
Sleep, sleep, baby, high up in the tree,
Dm Am E7
when the wind blows, the cradle rocks so free.
Verse 2
Am Dm Am
Sleep, sleep, baby, though the bough may break,
Dm Am E7
be pleased, my baby, for the rocking’s sake.
Play it
Chords — guitar & piano
Am
Guitar
Piano
Dm
Guitar
Piano
E7
Guitar
Piano
Good to know
What this song means
Moe Moe Pepe is one of the most cherished lullabies in Samoa, sung by Samoan parents around the world. Its imagery closely parallels the English “Rock-a-bye Baby” — a baby rocked in a treetop cradle — but it carries its own entirely distinct Samoan melody, passed down through generations of families.
Traditional Samoan lullaby. Lyrics and translation adapted from the well-known traditional text.
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