Only the strong

If you click on the title of this blog post it will take you to a video on you tube and I urge you to visit this address.

This is one of the songs that we sing as we play Capoeira. The best version that I could find on the net is one with a backing track. We only use the birimbau and Pandeiro (a Brazilian tambourine). These are the lyrics:

Paranaue, paranaue, parana
Vou me embora enquanto e cedo
que a noite tenho medo!

Parana Paranaue, paranaue, parana
Mulher pra ser bonita, parana
Nao precisa se pintar, parana.

Paranaue, paranaue, parana
A pintura e do artista, parana,
A beleza e Deus que da, parana.



Paranaue, paranaue, parana
I'm leaving while it's early
because at night I'm afraid!

Parana Paranaue, paranaue, parana
for a woman to be beautiful, parana
she doesn't need to paint herself, parana.

Paranaue, paranaue, parana
A painting is by an artist, parana,
Beauty is given by God, parana.


Here is a explanation of the song from capoeira.com

"Parana is the name of a state in Brazil. It has come to represent freedom and is used symbolically in many capoeira songs. Aruande and Luanda (the capital of Angola) are often used similarly representing freedom, or even heaven, and often carry a feeling of nostalgia. Of course this would be a common theme among slaves singing of desired freedoms. What types of freedom might modern capoeiristas be seeking?"




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=creOWJGnowo&feature=related

here is one final link to listen to another well known Capoeira song. Also with a backing track but at least this one has the birimbau on its own at the beginning