Info
This is a work song, for rowing. (source) It is unknown for sure which country it comes from. Most sources list it as a Polynesian folk song. One source lists it from the Solomon Islands, and McRae (see source below) lists it from the Philippines. It is possible it is a Polynesian song which was sung in the Philippines. (source)
Lyrics - Unknown language
(Polynesian folk song)
Tongo
Jimnee bye bye oh
Tongo
Oom ba de kim bye oh
Ooh a lay
Mah le ka ah lo way
English Translation
“Tongo” means “mangrove” in the following languages: Gela, Kiribati and Tonga. (source)
See also
- Country: Solomon Islands
- Subject: rowing
- Form: call & response songs
- Meter: 2
- Rhythm:
/ syncopation - Scale: pentatonic
- Tones: drmsl
- Source: Sing ‘Round the World: International Folksongs, Vol. 1, Shirley McRae, 1990info about the song
YouTube
- Song with chords (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
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