Brazilian guitarist and singer. The son of Dorival Caymmi and Stella Maris … Read Full Bio ↴Brazilian guitarist and singer. The son of Dorival Caymmi and Stella Maris and brother of Nana Caymmi and Danilo Caymmi's studied piano, guitar and music theory since childhood. His professional debut happened when he accompanied sister Nana on a concert. His main influence comes from his father, João Gilberto, Tom Jobim, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. In the 1960s, he became a producer, arranger and musical director. His career as a songwriter stood out in that same period, when he had songs interpreted by MPB-4 ("Cantigo"), Nana Caymmi ("Saveiros", with Nelson Motta) and Elis Regina ("O Cantador", with Nelson Motta) in festivals. In the 1970s, he wrote music scores for movies and television shows, and in the 80s he turned toward the international market, settling in Los Angeles. Dori's peculiar way of playing the guitar, with unconventional tunings and creative harmonies, has helped projecting his career outside of Brasil. Other hits: "De Onde Vens" (with N. Motta), recorded by Elis and Nara Leão, and "Festa", recorded by Jair Rodrigues, Elis and Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66.

De Onde Vens?
Dori Caymmi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah, quanta dor vejo em teus olhos
Tanto pranto em teu sorriso
Tão vazias as tuas mãos
De onde vens assim cansada
De que dor, de qual distância
De que terras,de que mar

Só quem partiu pode voltar

E eu voltei prá te contar
Dos caminhos onde andei
Fiz do riso amargo pranto
No olhar sempre teus olhos
No peito aberto uma canção

Se eu pudesse de repente
Te mostrar meu coração
Saberias num momento
Quanta dor há dentro dele

Dor de amor quando não passa
É porque o amor valeu

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dori Caymmi's "De Onde Vens?" speak of a weary traveler who has returned home after a long and difficult journey. The singer describes the sadness, pain, and emptiness that they see in the eyes and smile of their loved one who has been waiting for them. They ask where their loved one has come from, what distance and pain they have endured, and what lands and seas they have crossed to arrive in such a state. The singer then tells their loved one about the roads they have traveled and the bitter laughter that has turned into tears along the way but remains steadfastly love-struck. They express a desire to reveal the true depths of their love for their partner, but the pain they feel is so great that it cannot be expressed.

The lyrics of "De Onde Vens?" are rich in metaphor and symbolism, exploring themes of distance, separation, longing, and love. The imagery of empty hands and a wearied smile speaks to the emotional and physical toll that such separation and longing can take on a person. The line "Só quem partiu pode voltar" ("Only those who have left can return") encapsulates the idea that distance and separation can heighten our awareness and appreciation of what we have left behind.

Line by Line Meaning

Ah, quanta dor vejo em teus olhos
I can see so much pain in your eyes

Tanto pranto em teu sorriso
There is so much crying behind your smile

Tão vazias as tuas mãos
Your hands are so empty

De onde vens assim cansada
Where are you coming from so weary?

De que dor, de qual distância
What kind of pain, from what distance?

De que terras, de que mar
From what lands, from what sea?

Só quem partiu pode voltar
Only those who leave can come back

E eu voltei prá te contar
And I came back to tell you

Dos caminhos onde andei
About the paths I walked

Fiz do riso amargo pranto
I turned bitter laughter into tears

No olhar sempre teus olhos
In my gaze, always your eyes