This tune was written in the 1930s, and was originally called "Come by Here". Some time later, the title changed to the African word, "Kumbaya". This beautiful tune should be played fairly slowly, with a C harmonica.

The first phrase is:

4B 5B 6B 6B 6B 6D 6D 6B

This is followed by:

4B 5B 6B 6B 6B 5D 5B 4D

The first phrase then repeats. The tunes finishes with

5D 5B 4D 4D 4B.

Here is the tune, at full speed, with a harmonica part

A good way to learn the tune is to play along with this midi file, with the tune at a slow speed.

For those who can read music, here is the score for this tune.

Finally here is the backing, without the harmonica

Use this backing for your own performances.