Rogamar
Cesária Évora Lyrics


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Quel barquin ta balancá
Na meio de baía
Na odisseia di cada dia
Proa ta bá,proa ta bem
Naquel mat olte
Tude gente ta guentá
Tude gente ta rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba
Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba

Povo das ilhas
É um povo de marinher
Ma é sô pa viajá longe
Mode nôs mar é n'ê brincadera
El tem estória
Na sê glória

Mar d'sodade qu'ta sépará-no
Mar amigo qui ta uni-no
Mar qui ta levá-no
Mar qui ta trazê-no

Naquel barquim
Na momento d'quel onda grande
Tude gente ta pô ta creditá
Qu'mar é fête sô pa pêxe
Sô pa pêxe e pescador

Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba
(Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria)
(Pegá, pegá Santa Barba)

...

Povo das ilhas
É um povo de marinher
Ma é sô pa viajá longe
Mode nôs mar é n'ê brincadera
El tem estória
Na sê glória
Mar d'sodade qu'ta sépará-no
Mar amigo qui ta uni-no
Mar qui ta levá-no
Mar qui ta trazê-no

Naquel barquim
Na momento d'quel onda grande
Tude gente ta pô ta creditá
Qu'mar é fête sô pa pêxe
Sô pa pêxe e pescador

Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba
(Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria)
(Pegá, pegá Santa Barba)

(Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria)
(Pegá, pegá Santa Barba)
Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba

(Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria)
(Pegá, pegá Santa Barba)
Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba

(Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria)
(Pegá, pegá Santa Barba)
Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba

(Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria)
(Pegá, pegá Santa Barba)




Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pegá, pegá Santa Barba

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cesária Évora's "Rogamar" speak to the struggles and uncertainties that come with the life of a fisherman. The chorus, "Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria, Pegá, pegá Santa Barba," which translates to "Pray, pray to the Virgin Mary, catch, catch Saint Barbara," is a plea for protection and good fortune on the high seas. The verses describe the challenges that fishermen face - the turbulence of the waves, the danger of big storms, and the comforting power of belief.


The song also touches on the cultural identity of island peoples as being deeply intertwined with the sea, and the importance of storytelling in preserving their history and traditions. Évora's voice, with its husky rasp and emotional depth, brings out the mournful quality of the song, which speaks to the sorrow that comes with a life at sea.


Overall, "Rogamar" is a poignant reminder of the realities of life for many who rely on the sea for their livelihood, and the hope and faith that keep them going in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Quel barquin ta balancá
That boat is rocking


Na meio de baía
In the middle of the bay


Na odisseia di cada dia
In the daily odyssey


Proa ta bá,proa ta bem
Bow goes up, bow goes down


Naquel mat olte
On that high sea


Tude gente ta guentá
Everyone is holding on


Tude gente ta rogá Virgem Maria
Everyone is praying to the Virgin Mary


Pegá, pegá Santa Barba
Take, take Saint Barbara


Povo das ilhas
People of the islands


É um povo de marinher
They are a people of sailors


Ma é sô pa viajá longe
But they only travel far


Mode nôs mar é n'ê brincadera
Because our sea is not a toy


El tem estória
It has a story


Na sê glória
In its glory


Mar d'sodade qu'ta sépará-no
Sea of longing that separates us


Mar amigo qui ta uni-no
Friendly sea that unites us


Mar qui ta levá-no
Sea that takes us


Mar qui ta trazê-no
Sea that brings us


Naquel barquim
In that small boat


Na momento d'quel onda grande
In that moment of the big wave


Tude gente ta pô ta creditá
Everyone is putting their faith


Qu'mar é fête sô pa pêxe
That the sea is only for fishing


Sô pa pêxe e pescador
Only for fish and fishermen


Rogá, rogá Virgem Maria
Pray, pray to the Virgin Mary


Pegá, pegá Santa Barba
Take, take Saint Barbara




Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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