In the 60's and 70's, Vinicius continued collaborating with many renowned Brazilian singers and musicians, particularly Baden Powell, with whom he penned a series of songs with a heavy Afro-Brazilian influence and which came to be known collectively as the Afro-Sambas.
Canto Do Caboclo Pedra Preta
Baden Powell & Vinícius De Moraes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Pandeiro não quer que eu sambe aqui
Viola não quer que eu vá embora
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Pandeiro quando toca faz pedra-preta chegar
Pandeiro quando toca faz pedra-preta chegar
Viola quando toca faz pedra-preta sambar
O pandeiro diz pedra-preta não samba aqui, não
A viola diz pedra-preta não sai daqui, não
O pandeiro diz pedra-preta não samba aqui, não
A viola diz pedra-preta não sai daqui, não
Pedra-preta diz pandeiro tem que pandeirar
Pedra-preta diz viola tem que violar
O galo no terreiro fora de hora cantou
Pandeiro foi-se embora e pedra-preta gritou
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Pandeiro não quer que eu sambe aqui
Viola não quer que eu vá embora
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Pandeiro quando toca faz pedra-preta chegar
Viola quando toca faz pedra-preta sambar
Pandeiro quando toca faz pedra-preta chegar
Viola quando toca faz pedra-preta sambar
O pandeiro diz pedra-preta não samba aqui, não
A viola diz pedra-preta não sai daqui, não
O pandeiro diz pedra-preta não samba aqui, não
A viola diz pedra-preta não sai daqui, não
Pedra-preta diz pandeiro tem que pandeirar
Pedra-preta diz viola tem que violar
Pedra-preta diz pandeiro tem que pandeirar
Pedra-preta diz viola tem que violar
O galo no terreiro fora de hora cantou
Pandeiro foi-se embora e pedra-preta gritou
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Pandeiro não quer que eu sambe aqui
E viola não quer que eu vá embora
Olô pandeiro
Olô viola
"Canto do Caboclo Pedra Preta" is a song that vividly portrays the traditional samba culture in Brazil. The song is a conversation between two musical instruments, the pandeiro and the viola, as they try to persuade the caboclo (a mixed-race Brazilian native) Pedra Preta to either stay and dance or leave. The repeated chorus "olô pandeiro, olô viola" sets a joyful, lively tone for the rest of the song.
The pandeiro, a tambourine-like instrument, tells Pedra Preta not to dance, while the viola, a guitar-like instrument, wants him to stay. As the pandeiro plays, Pedra Preta begins to move towards the dancefloor. The viola then takes over, and Pedra Preta starts to dance, proving the power that music has to bring people together. The song ends with the sound of a rooster crowing, signifying the end of the night's festivities and the departure of the pandeiro.
Overall, the song's lyrics and melody emphasize the integral role that music plays in Brazilian culture, particularly samba. It also expresses the idea that music has the power to bring people from different backgrounds together.
Line by Line Meaning
Olô pandeiro, olô viola
Pandeiro and viola are both celebrated instruments in Brazilian music culture, and this line is an ode to their importance.
Pandeiro não quer que eu sambe aqui
The pandeiro is telling Pedra Preta not to dance here, perhaps because it is not a suitable place for dancing or because the pandeiro wants to be the center of attention.
Viola não quer que eu vá embora
The viola wants Pedra Preta to stay, perhaps because the viola enjoys Pedra Preta's dancing or because they are friends and the viola wants their company.
Pandeiro quando toca faz pedra-preta chegar
The sound of the pandeiro is so powerful that it can make Pedra Preta want to come closer and pay attention to the music.
Viola quando toca faz pedra-preta sambar
The sound of the viola is so lively that it can make Pedra Preta want to dance and move their body in a fun and exciting way.
O pandeiro diz pedra-preta não samba aqui, não
The pandeiro is being stubborn and not letting Pedra Preta dance where they want to, perhaps because the pandeiro is jealous of the attention Pedra Preta is receiving from other people or because the pandeiro wants to be the absolute center of attention.
A viola diz pedra-preta não sai daqui, não
The viola wants Pedra Preta to stay and enjoy the music, perhaps because the viola enjoys dancing with Pedra Preta or just wants their company in the moment.
Pedra-preta diz pandeiro tem que pandeirar
Pedra Preta is telling the pandeiro to play their best and give Pedra Preta and the crowd a show worth dancing to.
Pedra-preta diz viola tem que violar
Similarly to the previous line, Pedra Preta is telling the viola to play in a lively and captivating way that will make people want to samba and have a good time.
O galo no terreiro fora de hora cantou
The rooster is making noise out of rhythm and disrupting the music and dance happening in the area.
Pandeiro foi-se embora e pedra-preta gritou
When the pandeiro left, Pedra Preta was upset and raised their voice in protest because they wanted to continue dancing to the beat of the music.
E viola não quer que eu vá embora
The viola wants Pedra Preta to stay and enjoy the music and dance with them, perhaps because the viola likes their company or just wants to have a good time together.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Vinicius De Moraes, Baden Powell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind