Cavalo De Pau
Alceu Valen%C3%A7a Lyrics
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Formando ondas pelo milharal
Teu pelo claro boneca dourada
Meu pelo escuro cavalo-de-pau
Cavalo doido por onde trafegas
Depois que eu vim parar na capital
Me derrubaste como quem me nega
Cavalo doido em sonho me levas
Teu nome é tempo vento vendaval
Me derrubaste como quem me nega
Cavalo doido, cavalo de pau (2x)
The lyrics of Alceu Valença's "Cavalo De Pau" describe a wild and free-spirited horse (cavalo-de-pau) that travels through the waves of a cornfield created by the wind. The horse is contrasted with a "boneca dourada," a golden-colored doll or figurine. The singer identifies with the horse, describing himself as having dark hair in contrast to the doll's light coloring. The horse is reckless ("cavalo doido") and sometime after the singer moved to the city ("a capital"), it knocked him down as if denying him. The lyrics suggest that the horse represents a force of nature that is beyond human control or understanding. The repeated phrase "cavalo doido, cavalo de pau" reinforces this idea of the horse as an untamed, unpredictable, and perhaps dangerous entity.
The lyrics of "Cavalo De Pau" express a longing for freedom and a connection to the natural world. The horse is a symbol of this freedom, as it travels through the wind and waves without restraint. At the same time, the horse's wildness is also a source of fear and uncertainty, as the singer describes being knocked down by the animal. Through the lyrics, Valença captures the complexity of being drawn to and threatened by forces beyond our control.
Line by Line Meaning
De puro éter assoprava o vento
The wind blew as pure ether, creating waves in the cornfield
Formando ondas pelo milharal
The waves were forming throughout the cornfield
Teu pelo claro boneca dourada
Your coat is a beautiful golden color, like a doll's
Meu pelo escuro cavalo-de-pau
My coat is dark and made of wood, like a hobby horse
Cavalo doido por onde trafegas
Crazy horse, where do you go?
Depois que eu vim parar na capital
After I came to the city
Me derrubaste como quem me nega
You knocked me down like you were rejecting me
Cavalo doido, cavalo de pau (3X)
Crazy horse, hobby horse (3X)
Cavalo doido em sonho me levas
Crazy horse, you take me in my dreams
Teu nome é tempo vento vendaval
Your name is time, wind, and whirlwind
Me derrubaste como quem me nega
You knocked me down like you were rejecting me
Cavalo doido, cavalo de pau (2x)
Crazy horse, hobby horse (2x)
Contributed by Eliana R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.