Senhor Arcanjo
Cristina Branco Lyrics


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Senhor arcanjo
Vamos jantar
Caem os anjos
Num alguidar

Hibernam tíbias
Suspiram rãs
Comem orquídeas
Nas barbacãs

Entra na porta
Menina-faia
Prova uma torta
Desta papaia

Palita os dentes
Põe-te a cavar
Dormem videntes
No Ultramar

Senhor arcanjo
Vamos jantar
Caem os anjos
Num alguidar

Que bela fita
Que bem não está
A prima Bia
De tafetá

E vai o lente
Come um repolho
Parte-se um pente
Fura-se um olho

A pacotilha
Tem mais amor
À gargantilha
Do regedor

Senhor arcanjo
Vamos jantar
Caem os anjos
Num alguidar

Põe a gravata
Menino bem
Que essa cantata
Não soa bem

Senhor arcanjo
Vamos jantar
Caem os anjos
Num alguidar

E as quatro filhas
Do marajá




Vão de patilhas
Beber o chá

Overall Meaning

The song "Senhor Arcanjo" by Cristina Branco is a surrealistic narrative about a dinner party hosted by the titular character. The first stanza describes fallen angels being served in a dish, while the second delves into the weirdness of the setting with descriptions of sleeping bones and orchid-eating frogs. The third stanza introduces a girl named Faia, who tries a papaya tart and cleans her teeth, and also mentions seers sleeping in the Ultramar (a reference to the former Portuguese colonies). The next part follows with a disconnected reference to Bia wearing a taffeta dress, and a lens professor eating cabbage and accidentally stabbing someone's eye with a comb. The fourth stanza has a brief allusion to the love for the necklace of the local ruler, as the characters prepare for dinner, with the lyrics "put on your tie, little boy, because that song doesn't sound good". Finally, the last part suggests that the daughters of a marajá (a South Asian prince or ruler) come to enjoy tea with mustaches.


While the lyrics may appear nonsensical at first glance, they contain metaphors and symbols that reflect the Portuguese culture and society. The references to the colonies and the use of the word "regedor" (meaning local ruler) allude to the historic context of colonialism in Portugal. The mention of teeth cleaning is reminiscent of the country's dental hygiene campaign, while the presence of food and luxury items like taffeta dress and tea with mustaches may suggest a commentary on the country's social hierarchy. The surrealistic imagery and fragmented narrative emphasize the absurdity of the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Senhor arcanjo
Addressing the archangel and requesting his presence for dinner


Vamos jantar
Inviting the archangel to have dinner


Caem os anjos
Angels are falling down


Num alguidar
Into a pot


Hibernam tíbias
Shins go into hibernation


Suspiram rãs
Frogs sigh


Comem orquídeas
Eat orchids


Nas barbacãs
In the ramparts


Entra na porta
Enter through the door


Menina-faia
A girl made of beech


Prova uma torta
Try a pie


Desta papaia
Made from papaya


Palita os dentes
Clean your teeth


Põe-te a cavar
Start digging


Dormem videntes
Seers sleep


No Ultramar
In the overseas territories


Que bela fita
What a beautiful ribbon


Que bem não está
That is not good


A prima Bia
Cousin Bia


De tafetá
Wearing a taffeta dress


E vai o lente
The lecturer goes


Come um repolho
Eats a cabbage


Parte-se um pente
A comb breaks


Fura-se um olho
Pokes an eye


A pacotilha
The belonging


Tem mais amor
Has more love


À gargantilha
For the necklace


Do regedor
Of the regent


Põe a gravata
Put on your tie


Menino bem
Well-bred boy


Que essa cantata
That song


Não soa bem
Does not sound good


E as quatro filhas
And the four daughters


Do marajá
Of the maharaja


Vão de patilhas
Wearing sideburns


Beber o chá
Drinking tea




Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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