Alceu Valenca was born in countryside Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. He is considered the most successful artist in achieving an aesthetic balance between traditional northeastern Brazilian music and a broad range of electronic sounds and effects from pop music. One can find traces of maracatu, coco and "repentes de viola" (improvising fast-paced Brazilian folk music) in most of his songs. Alceu was able to utilize the electric guitar the electric bass, and lately even a synthesizer was added to his broad scope of musical instruments.
Because of that, Alceu was able to recreate Northeastern traditional music, like baiao, coco, toada, maracatu, frevo, caboclinhos, embolada and repentes: all sung with a sometimes rock sometimes alternative sounding music background. His music and his themes are intangible, universal and unlimited. However, his aesthetic basis is genuinely Brazilian Northeastern music.
A chegada do Quiabo
Alceu Valença Lyrics
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O velho chegou agora
Traz sais, traz sais, traz sais
O velho chegou agora
Estou chegando de Cuba, ai, ai
Com minha manjuba de fora
The song "A Chegada do Quiabo" by Alceu Valença tells the story of an old man who is returning home with an interesting souvenir from his travels in Cuba. As the song begins, we hear the lyrics "traz sais, traz sais, traz sais," which roughly translates to "bring knives, bring knives, bring knives." This suggests that the old man may be carrying something dangerous, but as the lyrics continue, it becomes clear that he has a different kind of item in his possession.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "O velho chegou agora," or "the old man has just arrived." This emphasizes the importance of his return and suggests that he is a respected member of his community. The next line, "Estou chegando de Cuba, ai, ai," reveals where he has been and creates a sense of curiosity and excitement about what he has brought back with him.
The final line of the chorus is perhaps the most intriguing: "Com minha manjuba de fora." This translates to "with my manjuba out," and refers to the fact that the old man is carrying a large piece of yucca root (known as "manjuba" in Portuguese) that he is proudly displaying to his neighbors. The yucca root is a symbol of his travels and his willingness to try new things, and it also suggests that he may have some culinary expertise that he is eager to share.
Overall, "A Chegada do Quiabo" is a lighthearted and celebratory song that highlights the joy of returning home and sharing new experiences with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Traz sais, traz sais, traz sais
Bring salt, bring salt, bring salt
O velho chegou agora
The old man just arrived
Traz sais, traz sais, traz sais
Bring salt, bring salt, bring salt
O velho chegou agora
The old man just arrived
Estou chegando de Cuba, ai, ai
I'm arriving from Cuba, oh, oh
Com minha manjuba de fora
With my manjuba (slang for a large penis) hanging out
Contributed by Aria G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.