“Kumbaya”. also known as “Come By Here”. is a song that is deeply linked to African American culture. Its exact origins are disputed but it was sung in the lowland areas of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
It was first recorded in 1926 in the Gullah dialect by Robert Winslow Gordon. The song gained popularity all over America and even internationally and later it has been used as a campfire song and summer camps.
Kumbaya Meaning
Originally the song was an appeal to God to come and help the people in need. Kumbaya is a call for divine intervention against oppression. The song represents strength and power and a sense of community and shared struggles.
The song was later used by protesters but it did not lose its meaning whether it was used by students protesting corruption in Gary, IN in 1966 or environmental groups in Middletown, PA in 1980.
Lately the song became a political one being mocked by certain groups, although the song is not a political one at its core.
Kumbaya Lyrics
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya (oh, Lord, kumbaya)
Someone’s cryin’, Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s cryin’, Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s cryin’, Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya (oh, Lord, kumbaya)
Someone’s singin’, Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s singin’, Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s singin’, Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya (oh, Lord, kumbaya)
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya (oh, Lord, kumbaya)