Kum Ba Yah is an African-American spiritual, most likely dating back to the eighteenth or nineteenth century. The first known recording of it dates back to 1926, and was a pretty upbeat version of the song that, since then, has become a more prayerful meditation. The phrase “kum ba yah” is a linguistic variation of “come by here”, a plea for God to be near to provide comfort and hope.
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah;
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah;
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah;
O Lord, kum ba yah.
Someone’s singin’, my Lord, kum ba yah…
Someone’s cryin’, my Lord, kum ba yah…
Someone’s prayin’, my Lord, kum by yah…
Handbells (two octaves)
Level 2+
Preview:
Hymn tune: KUM BA YAH
Find metrically-matched hymn texts
| Individual copy: $3.00 US | |
| Handbell choir: $15.00 US |
Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
