Rock In Rio Recap & The Songs Of Rock in Rio Translated Into English (Part I)

Rock in Rio 2011 Recap (Part I)

promotional poster for Rock in Rio 2011

I’m sure that by now you’ve heard that Rock in Rio is going on in brazil. It’s about half way over, so I thought I’d write this post as a recap of what has gone on so far. By the way, the whole festival is being shown live in Brazil on Globo, and you can watch it streaming live Here. Rock in Rio is one of the worlds largest music festivals, and right now i am going to take the opportunity to highlight a few artists who are performing this year…

Titãs & Paralamas do Sucesso

On the opening day of rock in Rio, two great Brazilian rock bands, Titãs, and Os Paralamas (who I have written about before and you can read about Here) came together to sing the song Epitáfio (epitaph) by Titãs. I really wish I had been there, what an awesome opening act for the festival. Below I have translated the lyrics to English for you to follow along to the video. You can also watch the entire first day show Here, on Youtube.

Titãs & Paralamas do Sucesso Preform “Epitáfio” At Rock in Rio 2011

…this video literally gave me goosebumps. loved it.

Lyrics To “Epitáfio” Translated To English

Devia ter amado mais – i should have loved more
Ter chorado mais – i should have cried more
Ter visto o sol nascer – seen the sun rise
Devia ter arriscado mais – i should have risked more
E até errado mais – and even made more mistakes
Ter feito o que eu queria fazer... – done what i wanted to do

Queria ter aceitado – i wanted to have accepted
As pessoas como elas são – people as they are
Cada um sabe a alegria – every one knows the happiness
E a dor que traz no coração... – and the pain that he carries in his heart

O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar distraído – while i walk distracted
O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar… – while i walk

Devia ter complicado menos – i should have complicated things less
Trabalhado menos – worked less
Ter visto o sol se pôr – seen the sun set
Devia ter me importado menos – i should have cared less
Com problemas pequenos – about small problems
Ter morrido de amor… – died from love

Queria ter aceitado – i would like to have accepted
A vida como ela é – life as it is
A cada um cabe alegrias – in everyone fits happiness
E a tristeza que vier… – and sadness that comes

O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar distraído – while i walk distracted
O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar…(2x) – while i walk

Devia ter complicado menos – i should have complicated things less
Trabalhado menos – worked less
Ter visto o sol se pôr… – seen the sun set

Rihanna Preforming At Rock in Rio

Later that day, Elton John preformed, then the lineup included Katy Perry and Rihanna.

So technically, Rock in Rio is supposed to be an actual rock show, showcasing the great brazilian rock bands, but unfortunately and to many people’s disappointment, Rock and Rio has become increasingly, well, eclectic, over the years. This american pop doesn’t compare at all to the great Brazilian rock bands, but anyway here’s a clip of part of Rihanna’s performance at Rock in Rio:

Claudia Leitte At Rock in Rio 2011

A half naked Claudia Leitte also strutted her stuff around the main stage on Rock in Rio’s opening day. Claudia Leitte is another Brazilian popstar from Bahia who has a similar sound to that of Ivete Sangalo (they both sing a genre of music called axé, which came out of the Brazilian state of Bahia in the 1980’s. Axé is upbeat, fun and carefree, reflecting the Bahian state of mind.) Leitte got famous originally as the vocalist for the salvador-based axé band Babado Novo, and now she has an enormously successful solo career in brazil. Here’s a video of Claudia Leitte opening her act. I found this to be horribly funny, embarrassing and ridiculous, so I thought that I’d share it:

If i’m being honest, I can’t say that  I’m Leitte’s biggest fan. I have a lot of respect for Ivete Sangalo, and Claudia Leitte always seems to be copying her, but not very tastefully.

Electronic Music At Rock in Rio

Rock in Rio this year also featured an electronic music stage where DJs have included: Ferry Corsten, Steve Aoki, Boys Noize, etc.

arial view of Rock in Rio 2011's music stages

Capital Inicial Preforms at Rock in Rio 2011

So, the next day of Rock in Rio brought an incredible performance by brazilian rock band Capital Inicial. Here’s an hour-long video of their entire show:

…and here’s an interview (in portuguese) with the band that was done just moments after their show ended:

Capital Inicial “Que Pais E Esse?” Lyrics Translated to English

Here are the lyrics to one of the more famous songs that Capital Inicial performed at Rock in Rio entitled “Que país é esse?” (“what country is this?” / “what kind of country is this?”). You will see how political the band is, as the lyrics speak to their disgust over the political corruption that takes place in Brazil.

Nas favelas e no senado – in the favelas and in the senate
Sujeira prá todo lado – filthiness all around
Ninguém respeita – no one respects
A constituição – the constitution
Mas todos acreditam – but all believe
No futuro da nação… – in the future of the nation

Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?

Na Amazônia – in Amazonas
E no Araguaia – and in Araguaia
e na baixada fluminense – in the baixada fluminense (an area in Brazil near Rio de Janeiro)
No Mato grosso – in Mato Grosso
Minas Gerais – Minas Gerais
E no Nordeste tudo em paz – and in the northeast everything in peace
Na morte eu descanso – in death i rest
Mas o sangue anda solto – but the blood still loose
Manchando os papeis – staining the papers
Documentos fiéis – loyal documents
Ao descanso do patrão… – at the relaxation of the  boss

Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?

Terceiro mundo se for – may be third world
Piada no exterior – a joke abroad
Mas o Brasil vai ficar rico – but brazil will get rich
e vamos faturar um milhão – and we will bill a million
Quando vendemos todas as almas – when we sell all the souls
Dos nossos índios um leilão… – of our indians, an auction

Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse?…(2x) – what country is this?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers At Rock in Rio 2011

Many sources have informed me that the chilli pepper’s performance has been the highlight of Rock in Rio so far.  Here’s them performing “Around the World,” but seriously check out at the other videos on Youtube, their whole show was absolutely incredible…

So, there’s a little recap of what has gone on so far at Rock in Rio 2011. Part II will come soon when the festival has come to an end. Please feel free to comment below!

Brazilian Music: New York Times Interview With Marcelo D2

New York Times Interview With Marcelo D2 & Some Music Videos

Below is part of the recent NYT interview with Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2 titled “Showing off Eclectic Tastes.” D2’s music truly reflects his eclecticism, with its unexpected but perfect marriage of rap and samba. Originally gaining fame with the band Planet Hemp, Marcelo D2 has made a huge name for himself over the years as he has pursued his solo career. Today Marcelo D2 lives in Rio de Janeiro, and i’ve heard that he can often be spotted on the beaches of Rio surrounded by friends. I’ve also put two clips of his music for you to enjoy, one is my favorite D2 song called “A Maldição do Samba” and the other is a great song called “Sou Ronaldo” which talks about the Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo…

The tattoos on Marcelo D2, the Brazilian rapper, honor not only his children but his musical heroes, including Jimi Hendrix.

Showing off Eclectic Tastes

THE tattoos on the body of the Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2 are more than decorations; they are also a statement of musical purpose and direction. One arm shows the image of the samba singer José Bezerra da Silva above the logo of the hardcore punk band Black Flag, while the face of Jimi Hendrix peeks out from the other. And on his neck is printed the title of John Coltrane’s most influential recording, “A Love Supreme.

Mikael Mutti of Percussivo Mundo Novo makes music with a guitar-shaped instrument embedded with an iPad.

All the styles those homages are meant to represent — and more — are likely to be present when Marcelo D2, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1967 as Marcelo Maldonado Peixoto, performs Sunday at Central Park SummerStage. Even more than most hip-hop artists he has always had wide-ranging tastes and a curiosity to see what happens when different genres are combined in unexpected ways.

“I adore feijoada,” the stew of black beans and pork trimmings that is Brazil’s national dish, “but I love hamburger too,” he explained during an interview in the Greenwich Village town house where he is spending the month. “I love the Ramones, the Dead Kennedys and Bad Brains, but I also love samba, bossa nova and Jorge Ben. That’s why I’ve gone for this mixture.”

Read the rest, Via NYT…

Marcelo D2 – A Maldição do Samba

Marcelo D2 – Sou Ronaldo

Brazilian Music: Eduardo e Mônica by Legião Urbana, With Lyrics Translated into English

Brazilian Music: Eduardo e Mônica

The notorious song Eduardo e Mônica, by the band Legião Urbana has always been adored in brazil and it is also one of my personal favorites. Just so you know, this song is very long and is sung very quickly, so don’t get stressed out if you need to listen to it many times to discern what is being said and pick out the vocabulary. Yet this song is wonderful, and it’s definitely worth the effort to try to understand it, so don’t get discouraged! 🙂

Although it was originally released over 25 years ago, Eduardo e Mônica is timeless and cherished in brazil and has become an integral part of the pop culture. Below I have put two clips: the first is of Legião Urbana performing Eduardo e Mônica many years ago, and the second is a short film that was made 25 years later, where actors are playing out the words of the song. Enjoy!

 

 

Eduardo e Mônica – Legião Urbana (Lyrics Translated to English)

 

Quem um dia irá dizer Que existe razão Nas coisas feitas pelo coração? E quem irá dizer Que não existe razão? Eduardo abriu os olhos, Mas não quis se levantar Ficou deitado e viu que horas eram. Enquanto Mônica tomava um conhaque No outro canto da cidade, Como eles disseram Eduardo e Mônica um dia se encontraram sem querer E conversaram muito mesmo pra tentar se conhecer… Um carinha do cursinho do Eduardo que disse “Tem uma festa legal e a gente quer se divertir!” Festa estranha, Com gente esquisita “Eu não ‘tô’ legal, Não agüento mais birita!” E a Mônica riu e quis saber um pouco mais Sobre o boyzinho que tentava impressionar E o Eduardo, meio tonto, só pensava em ir pra casa “É quase duas, eu vou me ferrar!” Eduardo e Mônica trocaram telefone Depois telefonaram e decidiram se encontrar. O Eduardo sugeriu uma lanchonete, Mas a Mônica queria ver o filme do Godard. Se encontraram então no parque da cidade A Mônica de moto e o Eduardo de camelo. O Eduardo achou estranho e melhor não comentar,  Mas a menina tinha tinta no cabelo. Eduardo e Mônica eram nada parecidos Ela era de Leão e ele tinha dezesseis. Ela fazia Medicina e falava alemão E ele ainda nas aulinhas de inglês. Ela gostava do Bandeira e do Bauhaus, De Van Gogh e dos Mutantes, Do Caetano e de Rimbaud. E o Eduardo gostava de novela E jogava futebol-de-botão com seu avô. Ela falava coisas sobre o Planalto Central, Também magia e meditação E o Eduardo ainda estava no esquema “Escola, cinema, clube, televisão…” E, mesmo com tudo diferente Veio mesmo, de repente Uma vontade de se ver E os dois se encontravam todo dia E a vontade crescia, Como tinha de ser Eduardo e Mônica fizeram natação, fotografia  Teatro, artesanato e foram viajar. A Mônica explicava pro Eduardo Coisas sobre o céu, a terra, a água e o ar.  Ele aprendeu a beber, Deixou o cabelo crescer E decidiu trabalhar. E ela se formou no mesmo mês Que ele passou no vestibular. E os dois comemoraram juntos E também brigaram juntos, muitas vezes depois E todo mundo diz que ele completa ela E vice-versa, Que nem feijão com arroz.  Construíram uma casa há uns dois anos atrás Mais ou menos quando os gêmeos vieram. Batalharam com grana e seguraram legal  A barra mais pesada que tiveram. Eduardo e Mônica voltaram pra Brasília E a nossa amizade dá saudade no verão. Só que nessas férias não vão viajar, Porque o filhinho do Eduardo Tá de recuperação. E quem um dia irá dizer Que existe razão Nas coisas feitas pelo coração? E quem irá dizer Que não existe razão?

Who will ever say that there is reason to the things done by the heart? And who will say that there is no reason? Eduardo opened up his eyes But did not feel like getting up He stayed in bed and checked the time While Monica had a brandy At the other end of town As they said One day Eduardo and Monica bumped into each other And got into a long conversation to try and know each other better It was a guy from Eduardo’s class who said – There is a cool party and we want to have fun Strange party, with weird people – I’m not feeling so good, I can’t have another drink Monica laughed and wanted to know a bit more About this dude who was trying to impress her And Eduardo, a bit dizzy, only thought about going home – It’s almost two, I’m going to get screwed Eduardo and Monica exchanged phone numbers Later rang each other and decided to meet Eduardo suggested a snack bar but Monica wanted to see a Godard film They met in the park Monica on a motorcycle and Eduardo on a bike Eduardo thought it was strange and better not to mention it But the girl had dyed hair Eduardo and Monica were nothing alike She was a Leo and he was sixteen She was in medical school and spoke German and he was still taking basic English classes She was fond of Bandeira,  Bauhaus, Van Gogh, Os Mutantes Caetano, and Rimbaud And Eduardo was a fan of soap operas and played button football with his grandpa She talked about Planalto Central (Brazilian Federal Government) And also mysticism and meditation And Eduardo was still in the “school, movie, club, television” routine And even with everything different Suddenly there was a desire to see each other And they met every day And the desire grew as it was supposed to do Eduardo and Monica took swimming classes, photography Theater, crafts, and went travelling Monica explained to Eduardo things about the sky, the earth, the water, and the air He learned to drink, Let his hair grow And decided to find a job She graduated in the same month That he passed his college acceptance exam And they celebrated together And also quarreled together, many times And everyone says he is her other half and vice versa like rice and beans They built a house about two years ago Around the time when the twins were born They struggled with money issues and held it together Through the hardest times that they had Eduardo and Monica went back to Brasília and during summer I miss our friendship But they’re not going to travel this year Because Eduardo ‘s little boy has to go to summer school And who will ever say That there is reason to the things done by the heart? And who will say That there is no reason?

Culture: Brazilian Music & Dance: Learning To Samba

Learning To Samba

These youtube videos that I found from The Travel channel document one woman’s quest to get her butt to move like a brazilian’s (while dancing samba). Her goal is to be able to dance like a brazilian in time for Carnaval in Bahia, it’s very funny…

Brazilian Music: The Sounds of Brazil…País Tropical – Sung By Jorge Ben Jor & Ivete Sangalo With Lyrics Translated to English

SOUNDS OF BRAZIL

Sometimes I wonder if people will really want to read a blog that just talks about brazil and how great it is. But to me, this subject will never get boring, and this video reminded me of that…

In this vein, here is a song that expresses quite well just why we love brazil so much…below i have posted the original version by the infamous Jorge Ben Jor and the newer version re-recorded by brazilian superstar Ivete Sangalo. 

País Tropical – Jorge Ben Jor

País Tropical – Ivete Sangalo

…Ivete also transitions into another two other songs after she sings Pais Tropical in this clip: “Arerê“, then “Taj Mahal”

Here are the lyrics for the chorus of “País Tropical” and their English translation:

Moro… – i live
Num país tropical, – in a tropical country
Abençoado por Deus – blessed by god
E bonito por natureza (Mas que beleza!) – and pretty by nature (but what beauty!)

Em fevereiro (Em fevereiro) – in february (in february)
Tem carnaval (Tem carnaval) – there’s carnaval (there’s carnaval)
Eu tenho um fusca e um violão, – i have a beetle and a guitar
Sou Flamengo e tenho uma *nêga chamada Tereza – i’m flamengo (someone who is a fan of the flamengo soccer team of rio de janeiro) and i have a girl called tereza

*”nêga” – yes….this means “black girl.” but do not get offended, you should understand that this is really normal to say in brazil, and is actually kind of an affectionate way of calling someone, as shocking is it might sound.  Often people refer to their girlfriends or boyfriends as “nêga” ou “nêgo” and this is totally normal, not found offensive at all.

Culture: Brazilian Music: Cassia Eller “O segundo Sol” Translated To English

Cassia Eller’s “O segundo Sol” Translated To English

Here’s a beautiful song by Cassia Eller, a famous Brazilian singer and songwriter who sadly died some years back. Eller still has a devoted following in Brazil, and her popularity after her untimely and unfortunate death has continued to grow. I’ve translated the song into English, and it has some really good Portuguese vocab for those of you who are trying to learn! Enjoy 🙂

O Segundo Sol (The Second Sun)

Quando o segundo sol chegar – when the sencond sun comes
Para realinhar as órbitas dos planetas – to realign the orbits of the planets
Derrubando com assombro exemplar – falling with exemplary wonder
O que os astrônomos diriam – what would the astronomers say
Se tratar– if addressing another comet

Não digo que não me surpreendi – i’m not saying that i was surprised
Antes que eu visse você disse – before i saw you said
E eu não pude acreditar – and i could not believe
Mas você pode ter certeza – but you can be sure

De que seu telefone irá tocar – that your telephone will ring
Em sua nova casa – in your new house
Que abriga agora a trilha – that now shelters the trail
Incluída nessa minha conversão – included in my conversion

Eu só queria te contar – i just wanted to tell you
Que eu fui lá fora – that i went outside
E vi dois sóis num dia – and saw two suns in one day
E a vida que ardia sem explicação – and life that burned without explanation

Explicação, não tem explicação – explanation, there’s no explanation
Explicação, não – explanation, no
Não tem explicação – there’s no explanation
Explicação, não tem – explanation, there’s none
Não tem explicação – there’s no explanation
Explicação, não tem – explanation, there’s none
Explicação, não tem – explanation, there’s none
Não tem – there’s none

a happy photo of cassia eller

Culture: Brazilian Music: Tribalistas “Velha Infancia” Translated to English

Tribalistas “Velha Infancia” Translated to English

Tribalistas was never a band, rather a trio of extremely talented Brazilian solo artists who came together to make one album. They are:  Marisa Monte, Arnaldo Antunes and Carlinhos Brown (all really great artists). The result was an album, also called Tribalistas, and if you are not going to pay attention to anything that i say, trust me on just this one thing: you will be doing yourself a huge favor to listen to this entire album. Listening to Tribalistas will explain why the group attained such popularity despite the never performing any song on TV or giving any radio interviews.

Below is the clipe and translated lyrics to one song that I love called Velha Infancia (Old Childhood). There will be more to come from this album. Please leave comments below, I’d love to hear what you think!

 Velha Infancia

Você é assim – you are this way
Um sonho prá mim – a dream for me
E quando eu não te vejo – and when i don’t see you
Eu penso em você – i think about you
Desde o amanhecer – from daybreak
Até quando eu me deito… – until the moment i go to bed

Eu gosto de você – i like you
E gosto de ficar com você – i like to be with you
Meu riso é tão feliz contigo – my laughter is so happy with you
O meu melhor amigo – my best friend
É o meu amor… – is my love

E a gente canta – and we sing
E a gente dança – and we dance
E a gente não se cansa – and we don’t get tired
De ser criança – of being children
A gente brinca – we play
Na nossa velha infância… – in our old childhood

Seus olhos meu clarão – your eyes, my light
Me guiam dentro da escuridão – guide me through the dark
Seus pés me abrem o caminho – your feet pave the way
Eu sigo e nunca me sinto só… – i follow and never feel alone

Você é assim – you are this way
Um sonho prá mim – a dream for me
Quero te encher de beijos – i want to fill you with kisses
Eu penso em você – i think about you
Desde o amanhecer – from daybreak
Até quando eu me deito… – until i go to bed

Eu gosto de você – i like you
E gosto de ficar com você – i like to be with you
Meu riso é tão feliz contigo – my laughter is so happy with you
O meu melhor amigo – my best friend
É o meu amor… – is my love

E a gente canta – and we sing
E a gente dança – and we dance
E a gente não se cansa – and we don’t get tired
De ser criança – of being children
A gente brinca – we play
Na nossa velha infância… – in our old childhood

Seus olhos meu clarão – your eyes, my light
Me guiam dentro da escuridão – guide me through the darkness
Seus pés me abrem o caminho – your feet pave the way
Eu sigo e nunca me sinto só… – i follow and never feel alone

Você é assim – you are this way
Um sonho prá mim – a dream for me
Você é assim… – you are this way
Você é assim… – you are this way

Você é assim – you are this way
Um sonho prá mim – a dream for me
E quando eu não te vejo – and when i don’t see you
Eu penso em você – i think about you
Desde o amanhecer – from daybreak
Até quando eu me deito… – until when i go to bed
Eu gosto de você – i like you
E gosto de ficar com você – i like to be with you
Meu riso é tão feliz contigo – my laughter is so happy with you
O meu melhor amigo – my best friend
É o meu amor… – is my love

Brazilian Music: “Alagados” by Os Paralamas do Sucesso, Translated Into English!

“Alagados” by Os Paralamas do Sucesso, Translated to English

This is one of my favorite Brazilian songs, and the music video, (a music videos is called a “clipe” in Brazilian Portuguese) is just as joyous as the song itself, while at the same time shows and talks about the reality of living in the favela. (For some reason I couldn’t embed the full video from youtube into this post, only a partial version. To watch the whole thing, click here.) The band Os Paralamas do Sucesso (also known simply as Paralamas – click here of more info on them) is a Brazilian rock band, formed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1970’s. Here is the song “Alagados” with the English translation below:

todo dia o sol da manhã – every day, the sun of the morning
vem e lhes desafia – comes to challenge them
traz do sonho pro mundo – brings them from their dreams to the world
quem já não o queria – who already didn’t want it
palafitas, trapiches, farrapos – palafitas are stilts for houses, trapiches are rags or torn cloth and farrapos are pretty much just tattered structures (these are all words describing what he sees in the favela)
filhos da mesma agonia – children with the same struggles
e a cidade que tem braços abertos – and the city, which has open arms
num cartão postal – on a postcard
com os punhos fechados na vida real – with fists clenched in real life
lhe nega oportunidades – denies them opportunities
mostra a face dura do mal – shows the hard face of evil

alagados, trenchtown, favela da maré – flodded, trenchtown, the slum of maré (maré  is the name of one of Rio’s favelas)
a esperança não vem do mar – hope does not come from the ocean
nem das antenas de TV – or from tv antennas
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what

todo dia o sol da manhã – every day the sun of the morning
vem e lhes desafia – comes to challenge them
traz do sonho pro mundo – brings them from their dreams to the world
quem já não o queria – who already didn’t want it
palafitas, trapiches, farrapos – palafitas are stilts for houses, trapiches are rags or torn cloth and farrapos are pretty much just tattered structures (these are all words describing what he sees in the favela)
filhos da mesma agonia – children with the same struggles
e a cidade que tem braços abertos – and the city, which has open arms
num cartão postal – on a postcard
com os punhos fechados na vida real – with fists clenched in real life
lhe nega oportunidades – denies them opportunities
mostra a face dura do mal – shows the hard face of evil

alagados, trenchtown, favela da maré – flooded, trenchtown, the slum of maré (maré  is the name of one of Rio’s favelas)
a esperança não vem do mar – hope does not come from the ocean
nem das antenas de TV – or from tv antennas
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what

alagados, trenchtown, favela da maré – flooded, trenchtown, the slum of maré (maré  is the name of one of Rio’s favelas)
a esperança não vem do mar – hope does not come from the ocean
nem das antenas de TV – or from tv antennas
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what

alagados, trenchtown, favela da maré – flooded, trenchtown, the slum of maré (maré  is the name of one of Rio’s favelas)
a esperança não vem do mar – hope does not come from the ocean
nem das antenas de TV – or from tv antennas
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what

alagados, trenchtown, favela da maré – flooded, trenchtown, the slum of maré (maré  is the name of one of Rio’s favelas)
a esperança não vem do mar – hope does not come from the ocean
nem das antenas de TV – or from tv antennas
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
mas a arte de viver da fé – but the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith
só não se sabe fé em quê – just not knowing faith in what
a arte de viver da fé – the art of living gives faith

this is the favela da maré, with it's palafitas, trapiches and farrapos 🙂

Let me know if you have any questions about the translation of this song, or if you would like to see any other songs translated, just comment below. Thanks!

-Portuguese Blogger

Musical Instruments Vocab List

List of Different Musical Instruments in Brazilian Portuguese:

bateria, tambor – drum

flauta – flute

violão  – guitar

harpa  – harp

piano  – piano

teclado – keyboard

saxofone – saxophone

sintetizador  – synthesizer

trompete – trumpet

violino – violin

acordeão – accordion

fagote  – bassoon

violoncelo – cello

clarineta – clarinet

tímpano – kettledrum

oboé  – oboe

tamborim  – tambourine

trombone – trombone

Traditional Brazilian Instruments (used commonly in Samba Music, or “Pagode”)

cavaquinho – the cavaquinho is a small string instrument of the European guitar family with four wires or gut strings.

berimbau – (pictured below) a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, from Brazil. This instrument makes a very distinct sound that you will come to recognize in all kinds of Brazilian music.

agogô – this african bell has become a signature instrument in Samba music

Culture: Music: Águas de Março – Translated in English!

In Honor of Spring, I thought I’d post a song called “Aguas de Março,” (“Waters of March”) sung beautifully by Elis Regina and Tom Jobim, with the complete lyrics translated into English. An added bonus, this song has a bunch of GREAT vocab words! Enjoy!

É pau, é pedra, A stick, a stone,
é o fim do caminho It’s the end of the road,
É um resto de toco, It’s the rest of a stump,
é um pouco sozinho It’s a little alone

É um caco de vidro, It’s a sliver of glass,
é a vida, é o sol It is life, it’s the sun,
É a noite, é a morte, It is night, it is death,
é um laço, é o anzol It’s a string, it’s the hook (fishing hook)

É peroba do campo, It’ the mahogany of the feild
é o nó da madeira It’s the knot of the wood,
Caingá, candeia,
é o Matita Pereira

É madeira de vento, The wood of the wind,
tombo da ribanceira the fall of the shore
É o mistério profundo, it’s the profound mystery
é o queira ou não queira

É o vento ventando, It’s the wind blowing,
é o fim da ladeira It’s the end of the slope,
É a viga, é o vão, it’s a beam, it’s the bay
festa da cumeeira

É a chuva chovendo, its the rain raining
é conversa ribeira the riverside conversation
Das águas de março, of the waters of march
é o fim da canseira its the end of the weariness

É o pé, é o chão, it’s the foot, it’s the ground,
é a marcha estradeira
Passarinho na mão, a little bird in one’s habd
pedra de atiradeira a slingshot’s stone

É uma ave no céu, it’s a bird in the sky
é uma ave no chão it’s a bird on the ground
É um regato, é uma fonte, it’s a brook, its a fountain
é um pedaço de pãoit’s a peice of bread

É o fundo do poço, it’s the bed of the well
é o fim do caminho its the end of the path
No rosto o desgosto, the dismay in the face
é um pouco sozinho it’s a little lonely

É um estrepe, é um prego,
é uma conta, é um conto it’s an account, its a tale
É uma ponta, é um ponto, its a tip, it’s a point
é um pingo pingando it’s a drop dripping

É um peixe, é um gesto, it’s a fish, it’s a gest
é uma prata brilhando it’s a shining silver
É a luz da manhã, it’s the light of the morning
é o tijolo chegando it’s the brick arriving

É a lenha, é o dia, it’s the firewood, it’s the day
é o fim da picada it’s the end of the sting
É a garrafa de cana, it’t the bottle of cane juice
o estilhaço na estrada the splinter on the walkway

É o projeto da casa, it’s the house project
é o corpo na cama it’s the body in bed
É o carro enguiçado, it’s the car not working
é a lama, é a lama it’s the mud, it’s the mud

É um passo, é uma ponte, it’s a step, it’s a bridge
é um sapo, é uma rã it’s a toad its a frog
É um resto de mato, its a rest of brush
na luz da manhã in the light of the morning

São as águas de março it’s the waters of march
fechando o verão concluding the summer
É a promessa de vida it’s the prommise of life
no teu coração in your heart

É uma cobra, é um pau, it’s a snake, it’s a stick
é João, é José it’s João, it’s José
É um espinho na mão, it’s a thorn in the hand
é um corte no pé it’s a cut in the foot

É um passo, é uma ponte, it’s a step, it’s a bridge
é um sapo, é uma rã it’s a toad, it’s a frog
É um belo horizonte, it’s a beautiful horizon
é uma febre terçã

São as águas de março it’s the waters of march
fechando o verão concluding the summer
É a promessa de vida the promise of life
no teu coração in your heart