O Bater Do Tambor
Caetano Veloso Lyrics


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Toda a eletricidade
Trio-elétrico e o seu gerador
Toda energia que magnetiza a cidade
Pára pra deixar ouvir o bater do tambor
Mão de preto no couro
E o Brasil grita em coro
ê mori mori ô babá
ê mori mori ô




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Caetano Veloso's song "O Bater Do Tambor" are quite evocative and speak to the power of music in Brazilian culture. The opening lines mention "toda a eletricidade," which could be interpreted literally as the electric power that fuels the trio-elétrico and its generator, but it also alludes to the energy and excitement generated by music in the city. The "bater do tambor" (the beating of the drum) seems to represent the heartbeat of Brazil, with the "mão de preto no couro" (black hand on the drum skin) conjuring up images of African rhythms and traditions that have influenced Brazilian music.


As the music plays, Brazil comes together and "grita em coro" (shouts in unison) with the infectious chants of "ê mori mori ô babá/ ê mori mori ô." This collective experience speaks to the way music can unite people across cultural and social divides, providing a sense of community and shared purpose.


Line by Line Meaning

Toda a eletricidade
All the electricity


Trio-elétrico e o seu gerador
Electric sound systems with their generators


Toda energia que magnetiza a cidade
All the energy that magnetizes the city


Pára pra deixar ouvir o bater do tambor
Stops to listen to the sound of the drum


Mão de preto no couro
Black hand on the leather


E o Brasil grita em coro
And Brazil shouts in chorus


ê mori mori ô babá
African chant


ê mori mori ô
African chant




Contributed by Alexis Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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