Ess pais
Cesária Évora Lyrics


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Bem conchê ess Mindelo pequinino
Bem conchê sabura di nôs terra
Bem conchê ess paraiso di cretcheu
Qui nôs poeta cantá co amôr
Na sês verso imortal criôl
Quem ca conchê Mindelo
Ca conchê Cabo-Verde
Bem disfrutá morabeza
Dêss povo franco sem igual
Li nô ca tem riqueza
Nô ca tem ôro nô ca tem diamante
Ma nô tem ess paz di Deus
Qui na mundo ca tem




E êss clima sabe qui Deus dóne
Bem conchê êss pais

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cesaria Evora's song "Ess Pais" showcase a deep love and pride for Mindelo, a small town in Cape Verde, and the country as a whole. The opening line "Bem conchê ess Mindelo pequinino" roughly translates to "Welcome to this little Mindelo" and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song as an ode to the simplicity and beauty of Cape Verdean life. The following lines "Bem conchê sabura di nôs terra" and "Bem conchê ess paraiso di cretcheu" refer to the natural resources and stunning landscapes of the island nation, with the latter highlighting the poetic tradition of Cape Verdean culture.


The final lines of the first verse "Quem ca conchê Mindelo, ca conchê Cabo-Verde" mean "Who doesn't know Mindelo, doesn't know Cape Verde" and emphasize the importance of this small town as a representation of the entire country. The second verse delves deeper into the values and way of life of the Cape Verdean people, praising their hospitality and lack of material wealth. The sentiment of "nô ca tem ôro nô ca tem diamante" which means "we have no gold or diamonds" is contrasted with the idea that "nô tem ess paz di Deus," or "we have the peace of God," highlighting the humble and spiritual nature of Cape Verdean culture.


Overall, "Ess Pais" is a song that celebrates the simplicity, natural beauty, and spiritual richness of Cape Verdean life, while also acknowledging the importance of tradition, history, and community.


Line by Line Meaning

Bem conchê ess Mindelo pequinino
Welcome to this small Mindelo town


Bem conchê sabura di nôs terra
Welcome to the flavors of our land


Bem conchê ess paraiso di cretcheu
Welcome to this paradise of lovers


Qui nôs poeta cantá co amôr
Where our poets sing with love


Na sês verso imortal criôl
In their immortal Creole verses


Quem ca conchê Mindelo
Whoever doesn't know Mindelo


Ca conchê Cabo-Verde
Doesn't know Cape Verde


Bem disfrutá morabeza
Enjoy the hospitality


Dêss povo franco sem igual
Of this unique and candid people


Li nô ca tem riqueza
Here we don't have riches


Nô ca tem ôro nô ca tem diamante
We don't have gold or diamonds


Ma nô tem ess paz di Deus
But we have the peace of God


Qui na mundo ca tem
That is not found anywhere else in the world


E êss clima sabe qui Deus dóne
And this climate knows that God has gifted it


Bem conchê êss pais
Welcome to this country




Contributed by Luke T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Amarilis Suarez

Qué voz tan hermosa tenía la Sra. Evora, era excepcional su voz y no hay comparación, una voz dulce..., aterciopelada....

Rébecca Sezan

Sodade di nha Terra 😢🙏🏽

BIGGER BENJI

sweet

BIGGER BENJI

bbc article brought me here. Beautiful African treasure

Тетяна Вовк

8

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