Original lyrics by Nadja Lopez - Vargas
Musical arrangements: Veronica Arcila
Arrangements for Warmi: Veronica Arcila
Musical arrangements for this version: WARMI (London - UK)

WARMI are:

Veronica Arcila: Vox-guitar-percussion
Ingrid Rueda: B vocal- percussion
Phaxsi Coca: Windpipes, B vocal
Vicki Cespedes: Windpipes, B vocal
Renu Hossain: Percussion B vocals
Paloma Palomino: Charango, B vocals

London - UK

Note by Nadja: I wrote this song in 2007, it has been interpreted by different musicians who made their own versions and even changed some of the original lyrics to make it more romantic or folkloric, thanks to the music of Koguiwa, Cumbe, Warmi, Layla Kamlani and Veronica Arcila for making such beautiful covers of this song. 

The lyrics talk about the nostalgic feeling of the indigenous people and farmers in my country (Colombia)that have to abandoned their land to survive the war, “terratenientes” (paramilitaries) and the big companies taking over their territories; this song is about healing and about bringing your heart back to the waters of the land to be healed.

An homage to my ancestors, Indigenous people and farmers of Colombia!


YO LLEVO by Nadja Lopez-Vargas©

Yo llevo, yo llevo, llevo mi corazón x2

LLevo mi corazón a las aguas de aquel rio
para curar las penas de aquellos que se han ido
Llevo el corazón a que borre mi pasado
de todo lo que quise y la vida se ha llevado

Yo llevo, yo llevo llevo mi corazón x2

El alma de mis ancestros, sembrada en esa tierra
de ellos no me olvido el recuerdo se me queda
si pudiera dejar, mi corazón en el rio
y vivir en mi Tierra como cuando era niño

Yo llevo, yo llevo, llevo mi corazon x4

©Copyright - registered in 2007
--

Yo llevo - WARMI

Lyrics by Nadja Lopez
Lyrics arrangements: Camilo Menjura and Nadja Lopez
Musical arrangements: Nadja Lopez and Camilo Menjura
Interpretation: CUMBE

Main vocals: Camilo Menjura
Backing vocals: Veronica Arcila, Gregorio Merchan, Camilo Menjura, Nadja Lopez
Drums: Rafael Ayala

"This song is about children that go before their time, little babies that decided to leave Earth, to leave life on Earth and become angels. Little angels that say to their mourning mothers: Don't worry I am having a beautiful life in heaven and I am caring about you, singing to you, smiling at you, playing with others like me, is all good mum, be content I am here for you!. :)

To all those mothers who lost their babies regarding the circumstances, a song to let them go with love!"

The rhythm of this song is called Bullerengue is a traditional rhythm from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia.

Image by www.themidnightorange.com

Ay Los Angelitos by Nadja Lopez and Camilo Menjura

Extract of the song Mujer by Nadja Lopez

This is a song created during a Red path ceremony (Camino Rojo) by Nadja Lopez (Colombian). Her friend Veronica Arcila sings and plays the guitar in this extract with the backing vocals from her sister Alejandra Arcila (Colombians). 

Song’s title: Mujer © ℗
Song composed by Nadja Lopez
Musical production: Veronica Arcila

Full lyrics:


MUJER © by Nadja Lopez

Mujer, de aire. 
de sonrisas y faldas que vuelan
de caricias

Mujer, de agua
de lágrimas y ensueños
de alegrias

que no se queden las historias sin contar
que no se queden los hilos sin tejer
y en los rios de la vida y la tormenta
que no dejes de ser y cantar
que no dejes de vivir y soñar

Mujer, de fuego
de vientre y de agonia
de belleza

Mujer, de madera
de fuerza y de instinto
de valentia

que no se guarden los silencios en el alma
y no se enrede el sentir en el olvido
en los rios con verdad y mentiras
que no dejes de creer y de crecer
que no dejes de creer y de crecer

Mujer, Abuela, Madre, Hija, hermana

Mujer, de Tierra  
de canciones y lunas
de melodias

Mujer, etérea,
De espacio y de tiempo
De Universo.

Que no te quedes sin los sueños por cumplir
Qué no detengas la razón de tu existir
Y en momentos de dolor y tristeza
Que no dejes de reir y llorar
que no dejes de amar y volar.

Mujer, Abuela,  Madre,  Hija...


(Mujer...)


Nadja Lopez - Copyrighted ©

Mujer (Woman) song by Nadja Lopez - (Veronica Arcila guitar and vocals)

ey reirei reirei rairai rairai ra (BIS)
oh gran espiritu, viento tierra y mar x2
oh gran espiritu cielo tierra y mar x2
tu estas adentro y a mi alrededor yererei 
tu estas adentro y en mi corazón yererei x2
yerererei yere rerei
agua clara limpias mi alma y cuerpo yerei
tlaloc teotihuacan teotl ma huitzli tatewari
poderosa medicinita muy fina
que viene curando y ya viene sanando
que viene sanando mi vida yare
ya viene curando y ya viene sanando
poderoso hikurito medicina
que va iluminando mi vida yare
yere yere yere yere yere

Peyotito, sagrado hikuri yere
tu abuelo peyote, sanas corazónes yere re
viene curando y ya viene sanando
poderosa medicinita muy fina
que va limpiando mi camino yere
y va por mi cuerpo y ya viene brillando
y ya viene curando y ya viene limpiando
poderoso abuelito yere poderosa medicina yare

tu eres el fuego y a mi alrededor yere re
tu eres el fuego y en mi corazón yere re
tu eres el agua a mi alrededor yere re
tu eres el agua en mi corazón yere re
tu eres el viento y a mi alrededor yere re
tu eres el viento en mi corazón yere re
tu eres la tierra y a mi alrededor yere re
tu eres la tierra en mi corazón yere re
en mi corazón yere re
ey reirei reirei rairai rairai ra (BIS)

oh gran espiritu hikuri (improvizacion) por Nadja Lopez-Vargas

Déjate caer, es magico
Extiende tus alas y a volar (BIS)

Vive un águila dentro de ti, vive un cóndor 
Vive un cóndor dentro de ti vive el águila (BIS)

Y a volar, vive el águila 
Y a volar, vive el cóndor 
Y a volar…

Heya heya heya heya heya 
Heya heya heya heyo wei (BIS)
 Y a volar…

Por @NadjaEnabLopezVargas copyright

Dejate Caer by Nadja Lopez

I wrote and composed this track in 2011. Then I built it with drums and shakers with the help of Rafael Ayala who got my ideas straight away and we presented it to the band we used to have together called CUMBE (Veronica Arcila, Gregorio Merchan, Rafael Ayala, Camilo Menjura and Nadja Lopez), immediately we put it together and we started playing it on our performances around England. 
We later managed to have a rough recording (by Studio Llama) that is on the playlist in SoundCloud called CUMBE, sung by the talented Veronica Arcila, unfortunately we couldn't finish the production of that recording. 

CUMBE split as a band some years ago, but I was always very keen on producing the music that all of us created together, so last year 2022, I reach out to my dear friends in Colombia, well known and incredible musicians Rodrigo Mancera (Morfonia) and Johanna Marin (Ajibaboso, The Swingers, Sidestepper), to produce this track called La ROPA.

So here it is, my composition finally seeing the light.

Thanks to everyone that has been part of this project and all the contributions done to make this happen.

MUSIC CREDITS:
Composer and lyricist: Nadja Lopez Vargas
Production, Mix, Masterization: Rodrigo Mancera Hastamorir in 2120 Estudios (Colombia)
Singer and backing vocals: Johanna Marin
Darbuka and Guasa: Gregorio Merchan
Tambora, Alegre and Llamador drums, Electronic beats, backing vocals: Rodrigo Mancera Hastamorir
Album Art: Maria Isabel Bernotti

GRATITUD:
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to:  Rafael Ayala (CUMBE, Curawaka), Veronica Arcila (CUMBE), Gregorio Merchan (CUMBE, Aterciopelados, Morfonia), Camilo Menjura (CUMBE), Rodrigo Mancera (Morfonia, La Etnia), Johanna Marin (Aji Baboso, The Swingers, Sidestepper), Nickolai Rodriguez Cavanzo (Los Músicos), Alejandro Martinez (D'Cuband), Emeris Solis, Maria Fernanda Zuluaga Davila (CUMBE guest singer), Jenny Rodriguez (CUMBE), Gareth Finnegan (Studio Llama); to my family in UK, Kenya and Colombia, my kids Janblu and Jana-Lucia, my mum Alicia and brother Julian and supportive friends all over the world, special thank you to Ana Maria Gomez; supportive event producers: Callum Simpson, Lewis Robinson, Ross Jones, and Andy Press (Electric Avenue Cumbe version).


©Copyright by Nadja Lopez. 
All the rights reserved for this song are for Nadja Lopez, any distribution without consent will be persecuted.

La Ropa by Nadja Lopez

I wrote this song during a ceremony with abuelito Hikuri, dedicated to the great spirit of Kauyumari/Deer/Venado/Masa

KAUYUMARI ©Copyright by Nadja Lopez-Vargas

Canta Venadito
el fuego en tus cuernos me guiara
eh yana ho yahe

Salta venadito
Danza, agua, tambor
felicidad
eh yana ho yahe

Baila kauyumari
azules tus ojos
la sanacion
eh yana ho yahe

Corre venadito
limpias mis miedos
mi corazon

eh yana ho yahe x2
eh yana ho yahe owe

eh yana ho yahe
eh yana ho yahe owe (repite)

©Copyright by Nadja Lopez-Vargas

Kauyumari by Nadja Lopez

Cancion tradicional para Temazcal (sweet lodge), autor desconocido

El Agua Cambia

Water Spirit - Lakota prayer!

"Have you partaken of Spirit, Water 
Spirit, that is in all (Earth Life).”

Maham E yana wana wana ayo
Maham E yana wana wana wana ayo (repeat)



Version by Nadja Lopez-Vargas

Maham E Yana Wana Water Spirit Song - Nadja Lopez Version

The first part of the song is as it is, as I learnt it, the second part of the song I improvised it while singing it (apologies for mistakes) - during a small ceremony with Grandfather Fire (Tatewari - Huehueteotl)


Gran Espiritu del Cielo (Nadja Lopez Version)

heyana he ne ne yana he ne ne y yana o wana he a na hene yowe x4

Gran espiritu del cielo, yana owana he ana hene yowe x2
tu traes el agua, ya he ne ne y yana o wana he a na hene yowe
tu traes la luz, yana he ne ne y yana o wana he a na hene yowe

pachamama taita inti, yana he ne ne y yana o wana he a na hene yowe
tu traes amor a mi corazon, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2

wanka tanka, wakataya, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2
oh winioh oh no, yana he ne ne he yana, o wana he a na hene yowe x2

Ometeolt huehueteotl, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2
huehueteotl ometeotl, yana o wana he a na hene yowe 
Abuelo fuego, abuelo creador, yana o wana he a na hene yowe
abuelo del fuego, abuelo creador yana o wana he a na hene yowe

peyotito del desierto, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2
tu traes sanacion a mi corazon, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2

kauyumari hikurito, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2
tu traes vision y la sanacion, yana o wana he a na hene yowe
tu traes sanacion y traes vision, yana o wana he a na hene yowe x2

heyana he ne ne yana he ne ne y yana o wana he a na hene yowe x4

Gran Espíritu Del Cielo - Improvisation

Hena me ia
Hena me ia
Hena me shisha yo x2

Hena me shisha yo x2

Heya heya heya 
Heya heya hayo

Hena me (Bear song)

Art work by: Maximino Renteria de la Cruz

A different version of this traditional song. This version was created by Adrienne Kuna

Oh Wiri hana

Atl ehecatl tlalli ihuan tletl x4
Tlatzocamati atlachinoli x2
In machiome in nemelitsli x2

Water, Air, Earth and Fire, 
Thank you sacred union of Fire and Water, 
force of Life This are the Life giving elements 
(the translation is not quite as the actual Nahuatl words than mean far more than this)... 
Agua, Aire, Tierra y Fuego, 
Sagrada union de agua y fuego, 
Fuerza de vida, elementos que son fuente de vida. 
(Temazcal song)

Atl Ehekatl (Song for the elements)

A song that came to me in a Fire ceremony! - As a received it from the Fire, what it meant to me was a call to the Grandfather Fire and the Spirit of Hikuri to teach us and provided protection to all of us!



Nadja Lopez ©Copyright

Peyote - Fire Chant By Nadja Lopez Vargas

CUMBE (Colombian band based in London)
Featuring: Se Va
Rhythm: Puya (Rhythm from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia)
Based on a traditional Colombian song called "La Ceiba" by Las Cantaoras de Arboletes.

Lyrics for this version by: Veronica Arcila

Veronica Arcila: Vocals
Gregorio Merchan: Tambora, Alegre, Backing vocals and Claps
Rafael Ayala: Alegre and Claps
Nadja Lopez-Vargas: Maraca, Guache, backing vocals and Claps.
Camilo Menjura: Backing vocals, Claps and sound engineer at El Desnucadero Records (14 cañonazos)
CUMBE: Incidental sounds

Recorded at: "El Desnucadero Records (14 cañonazos) - London, UK"

"Vamos mujeres, vamonos ya, vamos cantando se va, se va...
... que los pesares se pasaran"


vivacumbe@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/cumbe.music
Facebook: Cumbe Cumbe

CUMBE - Se Va

'Moteopeyotzi he yana yo
Ometeotl Peyotl he yana yo'

Agua De La Vida

CUMBE

Recording: Electric Avenue (by Eddy Grant) cover.
Rhythm: Chande & Puya (Colombian Rhythms)

Nadja E. Lopez: Maraca, Backing Vocals, Guache, Claps and Musical Arrangements, Production/Direction
Camilo Menjura: Main Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar, Gaitas, Claps, Musical Arrangements, Production/Direction
Veronica Arcila: Vocals, Backing Vocals and Claps
Gregorio Merchan: Tambora, Alegre, Backing Vocals, Claps, Musical Arrangements
Rafael Ayala: Alegre and Claps

Andy: Guest in Claps, Music Engineer

CUMBE: Incidental sounds

Recorded at: Press Play London UK

"Quien puede ser el culpable, que no se deja encontrar, nos seguimos multiplicando y quien nos va a alimentar? oh no!..."


vivacumbe@gmail.com
Facebook: Cumbe Cumbe
Youtube Channel: Cumbemusic

snadjaenab@copyright
EtherSpes@copyright
NadjaLopez@copyright
cumbemusic@copyright

Electric Avenue (Eddy Grant) - CUMBE version

Latin Dub Sound System. My small participation in this song with my voice somewhere there! :D

VENGA by Latin Dub Sound System

Wei xiuhtecuhtli
Wei xiuhtecuhtli, xiuhtecuhtli ia na he ne yo wei x2
Wei xiuhtecuhtli, wei xiuhtecuhtli
tlazocamatli in Mexihcayo yana wana he ana he ne yo wei
Xiuhtecuhtli
yana wana ia na he ne yo wei

Xiuhtecuhtli (Hue hue Xiutecuhtli - Grandfather Fire)

CUMBE Live on the BBC 3 Radio in Latitude Festival 2012 featuring:

Camilo Menjura: Main Vocals, Tambora & Guitar
Gregorio Merchan: Drum kit, Tambora, Backing Vocals
Rafael Ayala: Alegre & Main Dance
Maria Fernanda Zuluaga: Main Vocals & Dance
Nickolai Rodriguez: Alegre & Backing Vocals

Missing two integrants of the band in this Concert, a big hello to them:  Nadja E. Lopez-Vargas & Veronica Arcila (You were in our heart)

Songs in orden of appearance:

1. La Ropa (Fandango Rhythm) Composed by Nadja E. Lopez-Vargas
2. Donde Esta? Composed by Camilo Menjura
3. Las Pilanderas Criticonas / El Mapale  (Mapale Rhythm) Original songs from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia.

CUMBE AT LATITUDE FESTIVAL 2012 - UK

I wrote this song in 2007, it has been interpreted by different musicians who made their own versions and even changed some of the original lyrics to make it more romantic or folkloric, thanks to the music of Koguiwa, Cumbe, Warmi and Veronica Arcila for making such beautiful covers of this song (unfortunately I don’t have recordings of those versions). In 2017 (10 years after composing this song)I asked a dear friend Layla Kamlani to sing it and record it as I composed it with the original music and lyrics, she did it amazingly in one take that I love. 

The lyrics talk about the nostalgic feeling of the indigenous people and farmers in my country (Colombia)that have to abandoned their land to survive the war, terratenientes (paramilitaries) and the big companies taking over their territories; this song is about healing and about bringing your heart back to the waters of the land to be healed.

An homage to my ancestors, Indigenous people and farmers of Colombia!

Thank you Layla for understanding my feelings with this song and made them real with your voice, for respecting the meaning and the offering to my land!


Yo llevo by Nadja Lopez-Vargas©


Yo llevo, yo llevo, llevo mi corazón x2

LLevo mi corazón a las aguas de aquel rio
para curar las penas de aquellos que se han ido
Llevo el corazón a que borre mi pasado
de todo lo que quise y la vida se ha llevado

Yo llevo, yo llevo llevo mi corazón x2

El alma de mis ancestros, sembrada en esa tierra
de ellos no me olvido el recuerdo se me queda
si pudiera dejar, mi corazón en el rio
y vivir en mi Tierra como cuando era niño

Yo llevo, yo llevo, llevo mi corazon x4

©Copyright - registered in 2007

Picture: Caño Cristales - Rio de los 7 Colores Colombia - La Macarena (Meta -Colombia) - The 7 colors river

Yo llevo mi corazon

Yo llevo mi Corazon - by Nadja Lopez-Vargas (singing and guitar: Layla Kamlani)

Buho de la Noche version por Camilo Menjura
Autora: Tana Metzli (Colombia)

Guitar and voice: Camilo Menjura
Song by: Tana Metzli (Colombia)


EL BÚHO DE LA NOCHE 

Ahí viene llegando el búho de la noche 
ahí viene llegando el búho de la noche
marca cuatro rumbos
el búho en esta noche (BIS)
ia ia ia e iaia ai a a

y con su aleteo
llegan 4 vientos (BIS)
llueven bendiciones
brilla el mundo interno (BIS)
ia ia ia ea ia ia

Cierra ya tus ojos
mira para adentro (BIS)
confía en la respuesta
que tu llevas dentro (BIS)
ia ia ia ea, ia ia ia a

Ahí viene llegando
 la mujer lechuza (BIS)
despliega tus alas
eres la lechuza (BIS)
ia ia ea ia ia ia a

Buho de la noche - Tanametzli (singing and guitar: Camilo Menjura)

This song talks about blessing and say thank you to our food, seeds, Mother Earth, Animals, water, sun...

Song by: Nadja Lopez-Vargas©


Nadja Lopez-Vargas Copyright ©

Bendigas Madre Tierra - Nadja Lopez-Vargas

We recorded this song with some friends, I apologized for the little mistakes but this was the only take and I truly enjoy this version that we made up!

:)

Tambor and voice: Nadja Lopez-Vargas
Voice and shakes: Joanna Johnson
Voice: Alexander Jeronymides-Norie
Voice and shakers: Charlotte Ward

Tierra Mi Cuerpo

Original song is by Boveda Celeste.

I recorded in a ceremony so I apologised for the sound of my voice and drum! I hope you enjoy this version. :)

Tamborcito De Agua - Boveda Celeste

Medicine song, Hikuri, Elements

Ometeotl!

ometeotl peyotsin

Aho gran espiritu

Mi marimba suena así! was created by Cumbe with the amazing input of Emeris Solis (from Guapi Colombia) singing a traditional Guapi chant, guiding the rhythm and playing drums and Camilo Menjura (from Bogotá Colombia) creating the core of this song, singing, playing marimba and writing pre lyrics, with collaboration of Nadja López- Vargas (from Bogotá Colombia) arranging lyrics, backing vocals and playing shakers, Rafael Ayala (from Cali Colombia) playing drums, and Jenny Rodriguez (from Colombia) singing.

This song is an homage to the beautiful land of Guapi - Chocó Colombia!

CUMBE - MI MARIMBA SUENA ASI

La Ropa © (Fandango de Lengua rythm)℗

This is a "Work in Progress" recording of the song written by Nadja Lopez-Vargas©: 'La Ropa' for CUMBE, using the traditional Colombian rythm Fandango de Lengua. Written in London by Nadja Lopez-Vargas with the help in the drums and application of the rythm by Rafael Ayala. This song is about how wrong things can go when spreading rumours "la ropa se lava en la casa".

Vocals: Veronica Arcila
Percussion: Rafael Ayala
Drumkit: Gregorio Merchan
Bass drum: Camilo Menjura
Shakers: Nadja Lopez-Vargas
Backing Vocals: Camilo Menjura, Gregorio Merchan, Nadja Lopez-Vargas and Veronica Arcila.

Recorded by: Gareth Finnegan
Mixed by: Camilo Menjura

Master: DOLBY Digital

La Ropa - CUMBE (Rough Bounce)

I write songs and poetry, I am from Colombia and live in UK. I have 2 beautiful children. I love yoga, cooking and found love for baking during the pandemic. I used to dance professionally, not any more. I follow the shamanic path, love planting trees, flowers and vegetables specially maize. I particularly write medicine songs that I will be posting soon. Love. Nadja

Popular tracks by Nadja Lopez-Vargas (EtherSpes)