About Kumbayah#
Kumbayah is an African American spiritual, most often traced to the Gullah communities of the South Carolina and Georgia coast in the early twentieth century. The title is thought to be a dialect rendering of “come by here,” a plea for help. It traveled north with song collectors and later became a campfire and civil-rights-era standard, which is how most people first meet it.
The melody is built on a plain major chord and stays within a sixth, from C to A, so it fits a 6-hole ocarina with room to spare. It is a good song for practicing smooth, connected notes rather than technical reaches.
Kumbayah Lyrics#
Kumbayah, my Lord, kumbayah,
Kumbayah, my Lord, kumbayah,
Kumbayah, my Lord, kumbayah,
Oh Lord, kumbayah.
Someone’s singing, Lord, kumbayah,
Someone’s singing, Lord, kumbayah,
Someone’s singing, Lord, kumbayah,
Oh Lord, kumbayah.
Someone’s crying, Lord, kumbayah,
Someone’s crying, Lord, kumbayah,
Someone’s crying, Lord, kumbayah,
Oh Lord, kumbayah.
Someone’s praying, Lord, kumbayah,
Someone’s praying, Lord, kumbayah,
Someone’s praying, Lord, kumbayah,
Oh Lord, kumbayah.
Kumbayah Ocarina Tab#
| C | E | G | G | G | A | A | G | ||
| C | E | G | G | G | F | E | D | ||
| C | E | G | G | G | A | A | G | ||
| F | F | E | D | D | C |