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Asa Branca
Quinteto Violado Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Quando olhei a terra ardendo
Qual fogueira de São João
Eu perguntei a Deus do céu, ai
Por que tamanha judiação
Eu perguntei a Deus do céu, ai
Por que tamanha judiação

Até mesmo a asa branca
Bateu asas do sertão
Então eu disse, adeu' Rosinha
Guarda contigo meu coração
Então eu disse, adeu' Rosinha
Guarda contigo meu coração

Quando o verde dos teus óio
Se espalhar na prantação
Eu te asseguro, não chore não, viu
Que eu voltarei, viu, meu coração
Eu te asseguro, não chore não, viu
Que eu voltarei, viu, meu coração

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Quinteto Violado's song "Asa Branca" tell the story of a devastating drought in the Brazilian countryside. The opening lines describe the land burning like a bonfire during a traditional midsummer festival, and the singer asks God why such suffering is being inflicted. Even the "asa branca," or white-winged bird of the sertão (Brazilian semi-arid region), has flown away, leaving the singer alone to bid farewell to his love, Rosinha, asking her to keep his heart safe. Despite the despair of the present moment, the singer promises Rosinha that he will return when the green of her eyes spreads across the plantation, assuring her not to cry.


The lyrics of "Asa Branca" are a poignant reflection on the impact of drought on the Brazilian people and the environment. The "asa branca" is a symbol of hope and resilience, as it is known to return to the sertão after a period of rain. The song has become an anthem for many Brazilians, especially those from the Northeastern region, where the drought depicted in the song has been a recurring issue for centuries. The melancholic melody and emotive lyrics have made it a beloved classic across generations.


Line by Line Meaning

Quando olhei a terra ardendo
As I looked at the land burning like a bonfire during São João, I couldn't help but wonder why there was so much suffering.


Eu perguntei a Deus do céu, ai
I asked God in heaven why there was so much cruelty.


Por que tamanha judiação
Why such mistreatment?


Até mesmo a asa branca
Even the white-winged dove,


Bateu asas do sertão
Flew away from the dry hinterland.


Então eu disse, adeu' Rosinha
So I said farewell to Rosinha,


Guarda contigo meu coração
Take my heart with you.


Quando o verde dos teus óio
When the green of your eyes


Se espalhar na prantação
Spreads across the plantation


Eu te asseguro, não chore não, viu
I assure you, don't cry, you hear me?


Que eu voltarei, viu, meu coração
That I'll come back, you hear me, my heart?




Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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