The Badge Archive

Special Mention

• Read the History of Kumbaya by the Library of Congress

Recordings

• YouTube – Sir Bon’s Music Room
• YouTube – We Are Singing Music Association

Lyrics

Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Someone’s sleeping, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s sleeping, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s sleeping, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Someone’s dreaming, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s dreaming, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s dreaming, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Someone’s crying, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s crying, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s crying, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Someone’s laughing, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s laughing, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s laughing, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Someone’s singing, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s singing, my Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s singing, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Come by here, my Lord, kumbaya
Come by here, my Lord, kumbaya
Come by here, my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

Variations:

Scout Version:

A Scout is trustworthy, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is loyal, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is helpful, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

A Scout is friendly, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is courteous, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is kind, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

A Scout is obedient, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is cheerful, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is thrifty, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

A Scout is brave, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is clean, Lord, kumbaya
A Scout is reverent, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya

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References:

• ““Kumbaya My Lord” Lyrics – Classical Music.” Classical Music, 5 Feb. 2023, http://www.classical-music.com/articles/kumbaya-my-lord-lyrics. Accessed 8 May 2025.
• “Kumbaya: Song Lyrics and Sound Clip.” Songsforteaching.com, 2025, http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/kumbayah.php. Accessed 8 May 2025.