Cesária É… Read Full Bio ↴This is a wrong tag for Cesária Évora. Please correct!
Cesária Évora (pronunciation in IPA: [sɨ'zaɾiɐ 'ɛvuɾɐ]) (born Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde, 27 August 1941), is a Cape Verdean popular singer. Nicknamed the “barefoot diva” for her preference for performing without shoes,[1] Évora is perhaps the best internationally-known practitioner of morna.
Dicography
* La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (1988)
* Distino di Belita (1990)
* Mar Azul (1991)
* Miss Perfumado (1992)
* Cesária (1995)
* Cabo Verde (1997)
* Café Atlantico (1999)
* São Vicente di Longe (2001)
* Voz d'Amor (2003)
* Rogamar (2006)
Monte Cara
Cesaria Evora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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.