Nursery RhymesSinzira, Mwana Wanje
Sinzira, Mwana WanjeSinzira, Mwana Wanje
A lullaby from Burundi

Sinzira, Mwana Wanje

Key: A minor~60 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Burundi
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Sinzira, Mwana Wanje Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by Burundi's Kirundi cradle-song tradition, set beside Lake Tanganyika and the sound of the traditional 'inanga' zither. Here you will find the lyrics, English translation, meaning, and chords.

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Lyrics & chords

An original arrangement, with guitar & piano chords above each line.

Verse

Am E Am
Sinzira, mwana wanje,
Dm E Am
ikiyaga cyacecetse none.
C G
Inanga irivuga kure gato,
Dm E Am
sinzira, mwana wanje.
In English

What the words mean

“Sleep, my child, the lake has gone quiet tonight. The inanga plays softly in the distance, sleep, my child.”
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Chords — guitar & piano

Am
x
Guitar
CEA
Piano
Dm
xx
Guitar
DFA
Piano
E
Guitar
EBG#
Piano
C
x
Guitar
CEG
Piano
G
Guitar
DGB
Piano
Good to know

What “Sinzira, Mwana Wanje” Means

Burundi and neighboring Rwanda share closely related Bantu languages, so Burundian lullabies echo some of the same gentle words. This original version leans instead on Lake Tanganyika’s calm waters and the soft sound of the ‘inanga’, Burundi’s traditional trough zither.

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