Carnaval de São Vicente
Cesaria Evora Lyrics


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J'a'm conchia São Vicente
Na sê ligria na sê sabura
Ma 'm ca pud fazê ideia
S'na carnaval era mas sab

São Vicente é um brasilin
Chei di ligria chei di cor
Ness três dia di loucura
Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
Ness morabeza sen igual

Nô ten un fistinha mas sossegod
Ca bô exitá bô podê entrá
Coque e bafa ca ta faltá
Hôje é dia di carnaval

São Vicente é um brasilin
Chei di ligria chei di cor
Ness três dia di loucura
Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
Ca ten guerra ê carnaval




Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
Ca ten guerra ê carnaval

Overall Meaning

In "Carnaval de São Vicente," Cesária Évora sings passionately about the vibrant carnival of the island of São Vicente. She expresses her love for the island, its people, and especially the carnival, which she describes as a time of great joy and celebration. According to the song, São Vicente is a small island, yet full of happiness and color. She notes that while she cannot fully capture the essence of the carnival, she knows it to be a time of great revelry and excitement.


Throughout the song, Évora sings about the unique atmosphere of the carnival. She describes it as a time of "loucura" or madness, where people come together to celebrate life and let loose. She also mentions that this carnival is not like any other, with a constant state of "morabeza," a word in Cape Verdean Creole meaning hospitality or friendliness. She also speaks about the various traditional carnival elements like the "fistinha," a small drink consumed during carnival season.


Overall, through the lyrics of "Carnaval de São Vicente," Évora showcases her adoration for the island and its culture, particularly the beloved carnival which brings people together in the spirit of joy and unity.


Line by Line Meaning

J'a'm conchia São Vicente
I know São Vicente


Na sê ligria na sê sabura
In its joy and in its flavor


Ma 'm ca pud fazê ideia
But I can't imagine


S'na carnaval era mas sab
How much more lively it becomes during Carnival


São Vicente é um brasilin
São Vicente is like Brazil


Chei di ligria chei di cor
Full of joy, full of color


Ness três dia di loucura
In these three days of madness


Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
There's no war, it's just Carnival


Ness morabeza sen igual
In this unparalleled hospitality


Nô ten un fistinha mas sossegod
We have a small peaceful place


Ca bô exitá bô podê entrá
Don't stress, you can come in


Coque e bafa ca ta faltá
Snacks and drinks will not be missing


Hôje é dia di carnaval
Today is Carnival day


Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
There's no war, it's just Carnival


Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
There's no war, it's just Carnival


Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
There's no war, it's just Carnival


Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
There's no war, it's just Carnival


Ca ten guerra ê carnaval
There's no war, it's just Carnival




Contributed by Joshua F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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