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.

Velho Pescador
Dori Caymmi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tanto tempo passou
Tantos ventos sopraram
Só ficou a incerteza
Da gente voltar do mar

Minhas mãos já não fazem
Mais a rede voltar
E meus olhos são tristes

De não verem o mar

Quem não lutar não vive
Vou parar de lutar
Mas vou parar onde sempre
Lutei pra poder viver

Onde vivem os homens
Que viveram do mar
E morreram no mar
E morreram no mar

Quem não lutar não vive
Vou parar de lutar
Mas vou parar onde sempre
Lutei pra poder viver

Onde vivem os homens
Que viveram do mar

E morreram no mar
E morreram no mar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dori Caymmi's song "Velho Pescador" convey a sense of nostalgia, resignation, and acceptance of the passage of time and life's uncertainties. The opening lines reflect on the passage of time and the changes that have occurred, symbolized by the winds that have blown. Despite these changes, there remains a lingering uncertainty about whether one can return from the sea, suggesting a longing for a time or place that may never be recaptured.

The next set of lyrics delves into the physical and emotional toll that age and experience have taken on the singer. The hands that once skillfully worked the fishing net are no longer able to perform the task, and the eyes that once eagerly scanned the sea are now filled with sadness at their inability to connect with it. This juxtaposition of physical and emotional limitations adds a layer of poignancy to the song, as the singer grapples with the realities of aging and loss.

As the lyrics progress, there is a shift in tone as the singer contemplates giving up the struggle and ceasing to fight against the inevitable. The decision to stop fighting is presented as a final act of defiance, a choice to embrace one's fate and find peace where one has always fought to survive. This resignation is tinged with a sense of both weariness and acceptance, acknowledging that there comes a time when one must let go and surrender to the forces of nature and life.

The final lines of the song circle back to the theme of the sea and its significance in the lives of those who have lived and died by it. The mention of those who have lived by the sea and ultimately perished in its depths speaks to the cyclical nature of existence and the inextricable connection between life and death. The repetition of the refrain "Quem não lutar não vive" reinforces the idea that life is a constant struggle, but ultimately, there comes a point where one must find peace and solace in the places and memories that have shaped their journey.

Line by Line Meaning

Tanto tempo passou
So much time has passed

Tantos ventos sopraram
So many winds have blown

Só ficou a incerteza
Only uncertainty remains

Da gente voltar do mar
Of us returning from the sea

Minhas mãos já não fazem
My hands no longer do

Mais a rede voltar
Return the net anymore

E meus olhos são tristes
And my eyes are sad

De não verem o mar
For not seeing the sea

Quem não lutar não vive
Whoever doesn't fight doesn't live

Vou parar de lutar
I will stop fighting

Mas vou parar onde sempre
But I will stop where I always

Lutei pra poder viver
Fought to be able to live

Onde vivem os homens
Where the men live

Que viveram do mar
Who lived off the sea

E morreram no mar
And died at sea