Monte Cara
Cesária Évora Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Q'nota 'm ta tocób e q'tinta 'm ta pintób
Senhor São Vicente num cálice aventurod
Bô é brisa fresca e na prima dum violão
D'Baía à Saragaça
D'Morada à Salamansa
Bô é ilha cretcheu

E óh Mindel q'criol bô é
Mi é carnaval mi é São Silvestre
E d'Santa Cruz 'm ta colá num da Cruz

Senhor São Vicente
Se bô tem um pilom pa cutchi midje
Bô tem Monte Cara pa namorá
Bô tem Porto Grande pa maravilha

Q'nota 'm ta tocób e q'tinta 'm ta pintób
Senhor São Vicente num cálice aventurod
Bô é brisa fresca e na prima dum violão
D'Baía à Saragaça
D'Morada à Salamansa
Bô é ilha cretcheu

E óh Mindel q'criol bô é
Mi é carnaval mi é São Silvestre
E d'Santa Cruz 'm ta colá num da Cruz

Senhor São Vicente
Se bô tem um pilom pa cutchi midje




Bô tem Monte Cara pa namorá
Bô tem Porto Grande pa maravilha

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cesária Évora's song Monte Cara pay homage to the island of São Vicente, one of the ten volcanic islands that make up the Cape Verde archipelago. The opening lines "Q'nota 'm ta tocób e q'tinta 'm ta pintób" and "Senhor São Vicente num cálice aventurod" celebrate the island's vibrant cultural scene, with "Q'nota" referring to the rhythms and beats of the music, and "q'tinta" referring to the colors of the island's scenery. The mention of "cálice aventurod" suggests a festive and adventurous spirit.


The song then continues to describe the island's natural beauty, with the lyrics "Bô é brisa fresca e na prima dum violão" (You are a fresh breeze and the first note of a guitar), and lists various locations on the island, such as "D'Baía à Saragaça, D'Morada à Salamansa". The repetition of "Bô é ilha cretcheu" (You are a beautiful island) throughout the song emphasizes the love and admiration the singer has for São Vicente.


The lyrics also celebrate the people and the culture of the island, with references to the annual Carnival and São Silvestre celebrations, as well as the religious festival of Santa Cruz. The final lines "Senhor São Vicente / Se bô tem um pilom pa cutchi midje / Bô tem Monte Cara pa namorá / Bô tem Porto Grande pa maravilha" highlight two of the island's main attractions - Monte Cara, a volcanic mountain that provides a picturesque backdrop to the city of Mindelo, and the natural harbor of Porto Grande, which has made the island an important center of trade and commerce.


Overall, the lyrics to Monte Cara celebrate the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of the island of São Vicente, and express the singer's deep love and appreciation for it.


Line by Line Meaning

Q'nota 'm ta tocób e q'tinta 'm ta pintób
I hear the sound of music and see the colors of paintings


Senhor São Vicente num cálice aventurod
The adventurous drink of the people from São Vicente


Bô é brisa fresca e na prima dum violão
You are a fresh breeze and the first note of a guitar


D'Baía à Saragaça
From Baía to Saragaça


D'Morada à Salamansa
From Morada to Salamansa


Bô é ilha cretcheu
You are an island with a rich history


E óh Mindel q'criol bô é
Oh Mindelo, you are a true criollo


Mi é carnaval mi é São Silvestre
You are both carnival and the feast of São Silvestre


E d'Santa Cruz 'm ta colá num da Cruz
And in Santa Cruz, we hang out at the cross


Senhor São Vicente
People of São Vicente


Se bô tem um pilom pa cutchi midje
If you have a hairpin to fix your hair


Bô tem Monte Cara pa namorá
You also have Monte Cara to admire


Bô tem Porto Grande pa maravilha
And you have Porto Grande for wonder




Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found