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.

Lenda
Dori Caymmi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

No Abaeté tem uma lagoa escura
No Abaeté tem uma lagoa escura
Arrodeada de areia branca
Arrodeada de areia branca
Ô de areia branca ô de areia branca

De manhã cedo se uma lavadeira
Vai lavar roupa no Abaeté

Vai se benzendo porque diz que ouve
Ouve a zoada do batucajé

O do Abaeté
O do Abaeté
O do Abaeté

O pescador deixa que seu filhinho
Tome jangada faça o que quis
Mas dá pancada se o seu filhinho brinca
Perto da lagoa do Abaeté
O do batucajé o do batucajé

A noite tá que é um dia
Diz alguém olhando a lua
Pela praia as criancinhas
Brincam à luz do luar

O luar prateia tudo
Coqueiral, areia e mar
A gente imagina quanto a lagoa linda é

A lua se enamorando
Nas águas do Abaeté
Credo, cruz que diz conjuro
Quem falou de Abaeté

No Abaeté tem uma lagoa escura
No Abaeté tem uma lagoa escura
Arrodeada de areia branca
Arrodeada de areia branca

Ô de areia branca ô de areia branca

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dori Caymmi's song "Lenda" describe the beauty and mystical aura of a place called Abaeté. The song begins by mentioning a dark lagoon surrounded by white sand. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the contrasting colors and the enchanting atmosphere of the lagoon. The next verse talks about a washerwoman who goes to the Abaeté lagoon early in the morning to wash clothes. She blesses herself because she claims to hear the sound of the batucajé, which is a type of percussion instrument used in Afro-Brazilian music.

The following verses depict a fisherman allowing his young son to play freely, but scolding him if he gets too close to the lagoon. The mention of the batucajé again adds to the mystery surrounding the lagoon. The song then transitions to a description of the night, with someone remarking that it feels like a day. Children play on the beach under the moonlight, and everything is illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon. The beauty of the lagoon is further emphasized, as the lyrics suggest that one can only imagine how stunning it must be.

Towards the end of the song, there is a moment of superstition as someone exclaims "Credo, cruz que diz conjuro" (Creed, cross, that says conjure) upon hearing someone mention Abaeté. The song then returns to describing the dark lagoon surrounded by white sand, creating a sense of closure and emphasis on the mysticism and allure of Abaeté.

Line by Line Meaning

No Abaeté tem uma lagoa escura
There is a dark lagoon in Abaeté

Arrodeada de areia branca
Surrounded by white sand

Ô de areia branca ô de areia branca
Oh, white sand, oh, white sand

De manhã cedo se uma lavadeira
Early in the morning, a washerwoman comes

Vai lavar roupa no Abaeté
To wash clothes in Abaeté

Vai se benzendo porque diz que ouve
She crosses herself because she claims to hear

Ouve a zoada do batucajé
The noise of the batucajé

O do Abaeté
The one from Abaeté

O pescador deixa que seu filhinho
The fisherman allows his little son

Tome jangada faça o que quis
To take a boat and do what he wants

Mas dá pancada se o seu filhinho brinca
But he hits him if his son plays