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Ncwala LullabyNcwala Lullaby
A lullaby from Eswatini

Ncwala Lullaby

Key: A minor~55 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Ncwala, Eswatini
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Ncwala Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by Ncwala, the sacred first-fruits ceremony that marks the new year in Eswatini. Ncwala unfolds over several weeks and is led directly by the king, who must be the very first in the kingdom to taste the new season’s crops, and part of the ceremony involves young men traveling to gather lusekwane, a sacred plant used to build a ritual enclosure for the king. 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, little one, the first fruits rest tonight,
Dm Am E7
the royal drums have quieted now, beneath the fading light.
Am Dm Am
Sleep now, little one, the sacred grove 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, little one, the first fruits rest tonight, the royal drums have quieted now, beneath the fading light. Sleep now, little one, the sacred grove 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 “Ncwala Lullaby” Means

Ncwala, the sacred first-fruits ceremony, marks the new year in Eswatini with royal ritual, song, and dance, honoring the king and the harvest alike. This original lullaby draws on those first-fruits and royal-ceremony images of Eswatini life.

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Sources & rights

  • An original lullaby by Relax In No Time, inspired by the musical traditions of its region. The words, melody, arrangement and recording are ours.
  • Recording and arrangement: real instruments played by hand, no AI music, by Relax In No Time.
  • Chords: written by us for guitar and piano.
  • Translation: our own meaning-for-meaning translation, written for understanding. The sung words stay in the original language.

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