Pe di boi
Cesária Évora Lyrics


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Onte na Ilha di Madera
M'assisti um pé di boi
Dos amigo engalfilhode
Por causa dum alcovitera
Dcha da uns ta dzé
Dchá mata otches ta dzé :
« Amdjor é parti
Pa ca da chatice »
Poca vergonha dess rapariga
Ja ta bom de caba ness terra




Ta po mut dess ignorante
Ta briga ta morrê na guerra

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cesaria Evora's song Pe di Boi describe a scene on the island of Madeira where the singer witnesses a fight between two friends over a gossip. One of the friends suggests that they should leave to avoid the drama, while others encourage them to stay and fight. The lyrics also touch on the topic of prostitution, as the singer remarks on the shamelessness of a girl who seems to have settled in the town. The final line of the song speaks to the illiteracy and ignorance that fuels pointless battles.


Through these lyrics, it is clear that Cesaria Evora was an expert at weaving together complex stories and deep social commentary through her music. The song touches on themes such as friendship, fighting, gossip, shame, and ignorance. Through such a rich tapestry of ideas and emotions, Cesaria Evora creates a vivid portrait of life on Madeira, highlighting the various struggles and challenges faced by the island's inhabitants.


Line by Line Meaning

Onte na Ilha di Madera
On the island of Madeira


M'assisti um pé di boi
I saw an ox's foot


Dos amigo engalfilhode
Two friends fought


Por causa dum alcovitera
Because of a gossip


Dcha da uns ta dzé
Some say


Dchá mata otches ta dzé :
Others say something else:


« Amdjor é parti
"It's better to leave


Pa ca da chatice »
To avoid trouble"


Poca vergonha dess rapariga
Shameless girls


Ja ta bom de caba ness terra
They are getting out of hand on this land


Ta po mut dess ignorante
They are acting too ignorant


Ta briga ta morrê na guerra
They fight until death




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

Marinha Teixeira da Silva Brito

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, muito bom!!!!

Raymond Helfrich

noisy