Capoeira Song Compendium

Capoeira Song Compendium Version 1.0



A compendium of the most widely sung Capoeira songs with their English
translations. Plus a guide on Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation, a capoeira
glossary, an article about religion and its connection to Capoeira and other
articles about Capaoeira songs.

This work is an ongoing project and it is my hope that with feedback from users,
that this document can be regularly updated and thereby enriched.

Mathew Brigham (Espaguete), May 2006 ©

THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE FREELY DISTRIBUTED - DO NOT ABUSE THIS TRUST AND TRY TO MAKE MONEY FROM IT.
*
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Dedication


Axé to Caçapa and Grupo Bantus in
Tokyo and Bantus students around
the world.
Axé to Grupo Origens do Brasil , Bournemouth and
São Paulo and Instructora Bia and Mestre Adelmo.
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Aim
The aim of this document is to serve as a high quality resource for English speaking Capoeirsistas who wish to deepen their knowledge of the
most widely sung Capoeira songs and the wisdom contained therein and hopefully improving their Portugese at the same time. It is my hope
that with feedback from users, this document will expand and be enriched . I hope to release a revised version at least twice a year. Apart
from containing just lyrics in Portugese and English there is a section on pronunciation as well as a glossary at the end. There are also
sections on the different types of songs and improvisation (taken, with kind permission, from Grupo T.A.B.C.A.T), as well as a section
summarsing religious syncretism and its connection to Capoeira.


Acknowledgements
A debt is due to those soles who typed up capoeira songs (and in some cases translated them) and released them on the net to help budding
non-Portugese speaking Capoeiristas like myself! Songs that have been taken from the net, have been improved on; in particular with
reference to grammar errors, unnatural translations and missing cultural and historical references – perhaps the most important thing to help
deepen knowledge of Capoeira. In addition, a big thanks to Pirulito from capoeira4all.com and Instructora Bia from Grupo Origens do Brasil,
Bournemouth for their help with translations and cultural references. Finally a big thank you to Raposa from Shadowcatcapoeira, who
painstakingly edited this document for grammar, spelling as well as plain silly translations!!!!! Other non-lyric based acknowledgements are
found within the document.


Song Versions
There are often several versions of songs sung by different groups in different ways – Capoeira is an oral tradition so this is always bound to
be the case! The document will become too complex with all such variations, so just edit songs to tailour them to how you like them!


Feedback and Support
If you know of a popular song that is missing or an “exceptionally beautiful” song (will be put in separate section in Version 1.1) please contact
me so I can update this document. Similary, please contact me if you find any errors or know anything about the meaning or history of a
particular song. In this way the document will grow and be enriched. Note, I will only include group specific songs if they are widely sung by
many groups. Axé





Email feedback and support to: gowithwhatisATyahooDOTcom

Mathew Brigham (Espaguete), May 2006 ©

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Capoeira Songs ..................1
Catarina (Rala Côco) .........13
Jogar Capoeira De Angola. 27
Pela Capoeira Eu Poder
Chuê chuê chuê chuà ........14
Jogo de Dentro Jogo De Fora
Jogar .................................. 42
Abalou capoeira, abalou ......1
Cobra Verde.......................15
........................................... 29
Pisa Caboclo...................... 43
A Bananeira Caiu .................1
Cruz-Credo, Ave Maria ......15
lavadeira............................. 29
Pisa No Massapé Escorrega
A canoa virou, marinheiro ....1
Cuidado Moço ....................15
........................................... 43

La Vai Viola........................ 30

Adão, Adão...........................1
Dà Dà Dà No Negro ...........16
Por Favor Não Maltrate Esse

Lá vem vindo...................... 30
A Capoeira Meu Amor..........2
Dalila ..................................16
Nego .................................. 44

Leva morena me leva ........ 30
A Hora E Essa......................2
Devagar, Devagar ..............17
Pra Lavar Minha Roupa Não

Le La Lae Lae La ............... 31
Ai ai ai ai (São Bento me
Tem Sabão ........................ 44
Dona Alice..........................17
Luanda é meu boi .............. 32


charma) ................................2


Preta Calunga .................... 45
Dona Maria Como Vai Você
Maculelê Maracatú............. 32


Ai ai Aide ..............................2
...........................................18
Princesa Isabel, Princesa

Meu Berimbau , Instrumento
Ajuda eu berimbau ...............3
Isabel ................................. 45
Dona Maria Do Camboatá .18


Genial................................. 34
Alô Maria ..............................3
Quebra Gereba .................. 46
É De Couro De Boi.............19


Moleque E Tu..................... 34
A Manteiga Derramou ..........3
Quem Jogo ........................ 46
E' De Manhã, Idalina Tà Me
Nhem Nhem Nhem ............ 35


Angola ê ê, Angola ...............4
Chamando..........................19
Quem E Voce..................... 47

No Mercado modelo........... 35
Apanha a laranja no chão,
Eu Já Vou A Beleza ...........20
Quem Vem Lá Sou Eu....... 47

Ó Ligeiro............................. 35
tico tico .................................4
É legal, é legal....................20
Roda maravilhosa .............. 48

Oi Nega que vende aí ........ 35
Aruanda ê.............................5
Ê Paraná. Ê Paraná. ..........20
Sai Sai Catarina ................. 49

Ô â ô â ei............................ 36
Bahia Axé .............................5
É o Mar vai virar Sertão .....21
Salomê, Salomê................. 49

Oi Sim Sim Sim.................. 36
Bahia começa com B ...........7
É Só Prestar Atenção.........21
Santa Maria mãe de Deus . 49

Olha O Nego sinhà ............ 37
Bahia De Qualquer Maneira.7
Eu sou angoleiro ................22
Sim sinha, Sim Sinho,........ 50

Olha Pomba voôu .............. 37
Bate palma pra ele ...............7
Eu Sou Capoeira Tambem
O Me Da Meu Dinheiro ...... 38
Sou Capoeira E Pego Na

Boa Viagem..........................8
Sou Maculelê .....................22
Viola ................................... 50

Onça Morreu ...................... 38
Cajuê ....................................8
Eu tenho que ir me embora23
Solta A Mandinga............... 51

Zum, Zum, Zum ................. 38
Camungerê...........................9
Eu Vi A Cutia Com Coco No
Sou Angoleiro .................... 51
Onde Vai Caiman............... 39


Canarinho da alemanha .......9
Dente..................................23
Tabareu Que Vem Do Sertao

O que é berimbau? ............ 39
Capoeira De São Salvador.10
Foi No Clarão Da Lua ........24
........................................... 51

O Capoeira e o Pescador .. 39
Capoeira of Salvador..........10
Gunga é meu .....................25
Tava Lá Em Casa .............. 51

Parabéns pra você............. 40
Capoeira de verdade..........11
Iê Capoeira, Iê Capoeirá ....25
Tava lá na beira do Mar..... 52

Para Roda Capoeira .......... 41
Capoeira E Defesa Ataque.12
Iaiaioio................................26
Tem Dende, Tem Dende ... 52

Paraná é............................. 41
Capoeira é da nossa cor. ...13
Iê Parana............................27
Tim, Tim Tim Aruandê ....... 52

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Tô dormindo tô sonhando ..53
Songs that reflect special
Troca Mão Pelo Pé.............53
roda moments ..................65
Um pouquinho de dendê....54
Songs that reflect special
Uma Volta Só .....................54
roda moments ..................66
Um, dois, tres .....................54
Brincadeira Mandinga ........55
Improvisation in songs....67
Vem Começo A Roda Io Io.55
Vinha da Bahia pra lhe ver.56
Why Sing In Portuguese? 70

Você Que É Forte...............57
A Note On Oral Tradition .71
Xarél, Xereré ......................57
Xô xô meu canario .............57
The different types of
Capoeira songs ................72
Samba Songs....................58
Syncretic Religious
Lê Lê Lê Baiana .................58
Practice in Brazil ..............74
O Levanta Saia Mulata.......58
Capoeira Glossary ...........76
Praia Da Amaralina ............58


Sereia Sereia......................59
Maculele Songs ................59
Boa noite pra quem é de boa
noite....................................59
Cabana De Guerreiro .........59
E na hora ê.........................60
Tindolelê auê Cauiza..........60
Maculele Jurou Vinganca ...60
Sou Eu Maculele ................60
Brazilian Portugese
Pronunciation ...................61
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Capoeira Songs

A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor






A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor


No fundo do mar tem dinheiro
In deep sea there is money


A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor
Abalou capoeira, abalou
It shook capoeira, shook.
No fundo do mar tem segrêdo
In deep sea there are secrets


A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor
Abalou capoeira abalou,
Shook capoeira shook,
No fundo do mar tem malícia
In deep sea there is trickery
Mais se abalou deixa abalar
But if it shook let it shake
A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor
No fundo do mar tem capoeira
In deep sea there is capoeira
Abalou capoeira abalou,
It shook capoeira shook,
Mais se abalou deixa abalar
But if it shook let it shake
A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor
Mas se virou, deixa virar
But if it capsized, leave it
Abalou capoeira abalou,
It shook capoeira shook,


A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor


Oi está lá, no fundo do mar
There it is, in the deep sea


A canoa virou, marinheiro
The canoe capsized, sailor




The canoe has been capsized, but in every disaster there



is the opportunity to look on the bottom of the sea for



sunken treasure.













Adam, Adam


Adão, Adão
A Bananeira Caiu
The Banana Tree fell


Adam, Adam


Adão, Adão
Where is Salomé*, Adam?
O facão bateu em baixo
My machete struck low
Oi cadê Salomé, Adão?
Oi cadê Salomé, Adão?
Where is Salomé, Adam?
a bananeira caiu
the banana tree fell
Salomé went to Maré Island
o facão bateu em baixo
the machete struck low
O foi na Ilha de Maré
Adão, Adão
Adam, Adam
a bananeira caiu
the banana tree fell
Where is Salomé, Adam?
cai cai bananeira
fall, fall, banana tree
Oi cadê Salomé, Adão?
Where is Salomé, Adam?
a bananeira caiu
the banana tree fell
Oi cadê Salomé, Adão?
Salomé went for a walk


Oi Salomé foi passear
Adam, Adam
• bananeira also refers to the handstand used in

Adão Adão
capoeira.
But where is Salomé,

Oi cadé Salomé? Adão
Adam?
This song may be appropriate to sing when a real

valentão (valiant one) is taught the art of falling.

* In the Christian Bible,

Salomé is known as the
step-daughter of Herod the Great, who danced the
Dance of the Seven Veils. She is said to have
asked for the head of John the Baptist. What does
Adam have to do with this? Perhaps because he is
the "original man," Salomé wants to claim him as
well...
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A Capoeira Meu Amor
Capoeira My Love
Ai ai ai ai (São Bento me
Ai ai ai ai (St. Benedict calls


charma)
me)
Você se lembra de mim
If you remember me


Eu nunca vi você tão só
I never saw you that lonely
Ai ai ai ai
Ai ai ai ai
O meu amor, o meu xodó, minha
My love, my sweetheart, my Bahia
São bento me chama
St. Benedict calls me
Bahia

Ai ai ai ai
Ai ai ai ai
Você se lembra de mim
You remember me
São bento me quer
St. Benedict wants me
Eu nunca vi você tão só
I never saw you that lonely
Ai ai ai ai
Ai ai ai ai
O meu amor, o meu xodó, minha
My love, my sweetheart, my Bahia
Pra jogar capoeira
To play capoeira
Bahia

Ai ai ai ai
Ai ai ai ai
A capoeira meu Amor
Capoeira my Love
Conforme a razão
The right way
A capoeira me chamou
Capoeira called me


A capoeira meu Amor
Capoeira my Love


A capoeira me chamou
Capoeira called me




























Ai ai Aide
Ai ai Aide






ai, ai, aidê,
ai, ai, aidê,
A Hora E Essa
It’s now the time
Joga bonito que eu quero ver
Play beautifully because I want to



see
A hora é essa
It’s now the time
Ai, ai, aidê.
Ai, ai, aidê.
A hora é essa
It’s now the time
Joga bonito que eu quero apprender
Play beautifully because I want to
A hora é essa
It’s now the time

learn
A hora é essa
It’s now the time
Ai, ai, aidê.
Ai, ai, aidê.
Berimbau tocou na capoeira
Berimbau played in capoeira


Berimbau tocou eu vou jogar

Berimbau played, I will go play
This song is frequently directed at players who are

Berimbau tocou na capoeira
making mistakes or generally playing sloppily in the
Berimbau played in capoeira
Berimbau tocou eu vou jogar
roda. It can also be sung as a celebration of a great
Berimbau played, I will go play
game in progress.
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Ajuda eu berimbau
The berimbau helps me
A Manteiga Derramou
The Butter Spilled




Ajuda eu berimbau
The berimbau helps me
Vou dizer a meu sinhô
I'm going to tell my lord
Ajuda eu a cantar
Helps me to sing
Que a manteiga derramou
That the butter spilled
Ajuda eu berimbau
The berimbau helps me
E a manteiga não é minha
The butter is not mine
Ajuda eu a cantar
Helps me to sing
E a manteiga é de ioiô#
It is the master's butter


Vou dizer a meu sinhô
I'm going to tell my boss


Que a manteiga derramou
That the butter spilled


E a manteiga não é minha
The butter is not mine


E a manteiga é de ioiô
The butter is the boss’


Vou dizer a meu sinhô
I'm going to tell my boss


Que a manteiga derramou
That the butter spilled


A manteiga é de ioiô
The butter is the boss’


Caiu na água e se molhou
It fell in the water and got wet
Alô Maria
Alô Maria
Vou dizer a meu sinhô
I'm going to tell my boss


Que a manteiga derramou
That the butter spilled
Vou ligar pra você
I will call you to tell you
A manteiga é do patrão
The butter is the boss'
Alo, alo Maria
Hello, hello Maria
Caiu no chão e derramou
It fell on the ground and spilled
Vou dizer que te amo
I will say that I love you
Vou dizer a meu sinhô
I'm going to tell my boss
No final do ano
In the end of the year
Que a manteiga derramou
That the butter spilled
Eu vou pra Bahia
I will go to Bahia
A manteiga não é minha
The butter is not mine
E Maria, capoeira eu não largo não
Maria, I will not abandon capoeira
É prá filha de ioiô...
It's for the master's daughter
Já tentei mas meu coração
I Already tried but my heart
Vou dizer a meu sinhô
I'm going to tell my boss
Não vive sem ela não
can’t live without it
Que a manteiga derramou
That the butter spilled
Tinha que perder a visão
I have lost my sight


E nunca escutar então
And never listened


A voz do lamento
to your cries
A slave narrative about a "mysterious" spillage. A

container full of butter has been knocked over, and
• ioiô / ioiá (yoh-YOH / yah-YAH)
Ver um jogo de São Bento
To see a game of Saint Benedict
no one is taking responsibility. When asked, a slave
These were the master's children, who were often
Explode meu coração
My heart explodes
says, "it's not my butter, it's the master's butter,"
allowed to play with slave children until a certain
which, while technically true, does not help resolve
age. When slave children reached working age,
Vou ligar pra você
I will call you to tell you
the matter. Slaves would often use such tactics of
however, they were separated from their white
Alo, alo Maria
Hello, hello Maria
"passive resistance" to remind the master of his
friends. Slaves would often resent these children
Vou dizer que te amo
I will say that I love you
dependence on them.
thereafter, blaming accidents (like the one above)
on them.
No final do ano
In the end of the year
Eu vou pra Bahia
I will go to Bahia
Capoeira angola, regional, samba de Capoeira Angola, regional, samba of
roda e maculele
the roda and maculele
Isso tá no meu sangue
It’s in my blood
Tá perto de mim
It’s close to me
Só falta você
You’re the only thing missing
Coro
Chorus
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Angola ê ê, Angola
Angola ê ê, Angola
Apanha a laranja no chão, tico
Grab the orange


tico
off the ground, tico-tico




Angola Ê Ê,
Angola Eh,
Apanha a laranja no chão, tico tico
Grab the orange
Angola Ê Angola
Angola Eh Angola

off the ground, tico-tico
Onde Eu Vim
Where I Come From
Se meu amor foi embora eu não fico If my love went away I won't stay
É De Angola Ê Ê,
Is Angola, Eh Eh
Apanha a laranja no chão, tico tico Grab the orange off the ground,
Onde Eu Vim
Where I Come From

tico-tico
É De Angola Iaia
Is Angola, Iaia
Meu abada é de renda, e de fita
My abadá is of lace, and of ribbon


Apanha a laranja no chão, tico tico Grab the orange off the ground,
ANGOLA Ê Ê,
Angola eh eh,

tico-tico
ANGOLA Ê ANGOLA
Angola eh Angola
Não apanha com mão, só com pe e
Don't grab with the hand


com bico
only with the foot or the beak
Vou Me Embora
I Will Go


Pra Angola Ê Ê
To Angola, Eh Eh


Capoeira De Angola
Capoeira Angola
This song reminds players to use their feet and
• abadá (ah-bah-DAH)
"beaks" instead of hands. It may also be used in the
Vai Vadiar*
Will hang Around
Loose capoeira shirt and pants, usually white.
"money game," where a handkerchief full of money
Probably came from the culture of dockworkers,


is spread in the middle of the roda.
who often used flour or sugar bags to make their

Angola ê ê,
Angola eh eh,
clothing. The abadá mentioned here, made of lace

and ribbon, is an extravagant luxury.
Angola ê Angola
Angola eh Angola

• tico-tico (TCHEE-koo TCHEE-koo)


A small songbird that makes a "tico-tico" sound.
Ô Puxa Puxa,
Oh, Pull It Pull It,
Leva Leva
Take It Take It
Eu Quero Jogar
I Want To Play
E Vadiar
And hang Around


Angola ê ê,
Angola eh eh,
Angola ê Angola
Angola eh Angola


Capoeira É Mandingueiro
Capoeira Is A Mandingueiro
Capoeira É Malandragem
Capoeira Is Malandragem


*“vadiar” – to hang out, bum around, do nothing in
particular. A synonym for playing capoeira.
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Aruanda ê
Aruanda ê
Bahia Axé
Bahia Axe*




Aruanda ê
Aruanda ê
Que bom
It’s good
Aruanda ê, aruanda
Aruanda ê, aruanda
Estar com vocês
to be with you


Aqui nesta roda
here in this roda
Aruanda ê camar (Coro)
Aruanda ê to camar (Chorus)
Com este conjunto
with this group of people


Bahia axé, axé Bahia
Bahia axé axé Bahia
Vem de dentro do peito
It comes from inside the chest
Bahia axé, axé Bahia
Bahia axé axé Bahia
Essa chama que acende
This flame that lights
Io ioioioioo
Io ioioioioo
Meu corpo inteiro não pode parar
My entire body cannot stop
Ioioioo
ioioioo
Eu sou mandigueiro de lá da Bahia
I am mandigueiro from Bahia
Ioioioo
ioioioo
Axé capoeira salve Abadá
Capoeira Axé long live Abadá
Io ioioioioo
io ioioioioo


Ioioioo
ioioioo


Ioioioo
ioioioo
Coro
Chorus
O vento
the wind


Que venta tão lindo
that blows so pretty
Oxalá que me guie
Oxalá* who guides me
Entre os coqueirais
Through the coconut trees
Por todo caminho
The whole way
Isso é demais
this is too much
Não deixe na roda a fé me faltar
Don’t let my faith fail in the roda
Io ioioioioo
io ioioioioo
Sou vento que sopra eu sou capoeira I am the wind that blows I am
Ioioioo
ioioioo

Capoeira
Ioioioo
ioioioo
A luta de um povo prá se libertar
The fight of a people to be free
Io ioioioioo
io ioioioioo

Ioioioo
ioioioo
*Creator God in Candomblé - a spiritualist religion
Ioioioo
ioioioo
in Brazil.
Bahia axé, axé Bahia
Bahia axé axé Bahia
Bahia axé, axé Bahia
Bahia axé axé Bahia

*Axé: The Yoruban word meaning life force or vital
energy
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