What is the meaning of the word Kumbaya in the song title Kumbaya My Lord?

Answer 1

Kumbaya specifically means "come by here" and originated from Africa. Good question, thanks for helping learn my one new thing for today!

Here's the link where I found it; it goes into great detail. Gotta love Wikipedia.

Answer 2

Oh Lord, kumbaya. Also spelled kum ba yah, cumbayah, kumbayah, and probably a few other ways. If you look in a good songbook you'll find the word helpfully translated as "come by here," with the note that the song is "from Angola, Africa." The "come by here" part I'll buy. But Angola? Someone's doubtin', Lord, for the obvious reason that kumbaya is way too close to English to have a strictly African origin. More likely, I told my assistant Jane, it comes from some African-English pidgin or creole--that is, a combination of languages. (A pidgin is a linguistic makeshift that enables two cultures to communicate for purposes of trade, etc.; a creole is a pidgin that has become a culture's primary language.) Sure enough, when we look into the matter, we find this conjecture is on the money. Someone's grinnin', Lord, kumbaya.

Answer 3

Words To Kumbaya

Answer 4

Kumbaya is a word in an African language (not quite sure which), and it means " Come By Here". So, translated, the song title means "Come By Here, My Lord".

Answer 5

The Gullah word "Kumbaya" is derived from the Standard English phrase "come by here." Originally

Answer 6

Kum Ba Yah means come by here....simply asking "My Lord" to "come by here."

Answer 7

Looking for a good answer on this too

Answer 8

Wow, thank you! I was asking myself the same question the other day

Answer 9

I believe it is "Come By Here"