Lyrics from "Linda Borboleta" by Paulo da Portela and Monarco Part 1- by Paulo da Portela Beautiful butterfly, don't be so mischievous Leave my rose be, so lovely on the stem It's my delight, when dawn breaks, to pay her a visit See her bathed in dew When the sun comes it covers her with… Continue reading Paulo da Portela: “Linda Borboleta,” “Linda Guanabara,” “O meu nome já caiu no esquecimento” and “Cidade Mulher”
Author: lyricalbrazil
My name is Victoria Broadus and I'm currently living in Oberlin, Ohio, where I teach Latin American History at Oberlin College. I learned Portuguese while working toward a Master's degree at Georgetown back in 2008/09, which is also when I began traveling to Brazil. I started this site in late 2011 when I was living in New York City, missing Brazil but fortunate to be surrounded by lots of great opportunities to hear Brazilian music. I wanted to share that music with friends and family and any other readers out there who wonder what the songs they're listening to are saying, and why. From 2012-2017 I lived in Brazil -- first São Paulo for a year, then Rio for nearly five -- before coming back to the United States for my PhD program at Georgetown, which I completed in June 2023.
Please let me know if there is a song you would like translated or would like to hear more about. You can leave a comment here or anywhere else on the site, or on the Facebook page.
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Diz que fui por aí
Lyrics from "Diz que fui por aí" by Zé Kéti and Hortêncio Rocha (1964) -- If anyone asks after me, tell them I went out Carrying my guitar under my arm On any corner, I'll stop At any little bar, I'll go in And if there's reason - that's another samba I'll compose If they want to know… Continue reading Diz que fui por aí
Samba do Irajá
Lyrics from "Samba do Irajá" by Nei Lopes (1976) Original recording by Roberto Ribeiro (1976): Recording by Nei Lopes (1980): I have stamped on my face, and in my chest, On the side opposite the right, a saudade (What saudade!) A sensation that in reality I haven't even been half Of what you dreamed (What you dreamed) It's roads,… Continue reading Samba do Irajá