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African Lullaby

The familiar African American sing, "Angels watching over me" is given cantus firmus treatment while a lilting African lullaby, "Abiyoyo" gently sways around it. The Bantu song, "Abiyoyo" is traditionally sung at bedtime as a song to entrance night time monsters into a dancing state; mother and father can then chase the monsters away so baby can safely sleep. Appropriate for either children's or mature women's ensembles.

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Difficulty
Instrumentation
Language

Abiyoyo, Abiyoyo,

Abiyoyo- yo-yo-yo-yo -yo-yo

All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord

All night,all day,
Angels watching over me

The familiar African American sing, "Angels watching over me" is given cantus firmus treatment while a lilting African lullaby, "Abiyoyo" gently sways around it. The Bantu song, "Abiyoyo" is traditionally sung at bedtime as a song to entrance night time monsters into a dancing state; mother and father can then chase the monsters away so baby can safely sleep. Appropriate for either children's or mature women's ensembles.