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.

Viola Enluarada
Dori Caymmi Lyrics

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A mão que toca um violão
Se for preciso faz a guerra,
Mata o mundo, fere a terra.
A voz que canta uma canção
Se for preciso canta um hino,
Louva à morte.
Viola em noite enluarada
No sertão é como espada,

Esperança de vingança.
O mesmo pé que dança um samba
Se preciso vai à luta,
Capoeira.
Quem tem de noite a companheira
Sabe que a paz é passageira,
Prá defendê-la se levanta
E grita: Eu vou!
Mão, violão, canção e espada
E viola enluarada
Pelo campo e cidade,
Porta bandeira, capoeira,
Desfilando vão cantando
Liberdade.
Quem tem de noite a companheira
Sabe que a paz é passageira,
Prá defendê-la se levanta
E grita: Eu vou!
Porta bandeira, capoeira,
Desfilando vão cantando

Liberdade.
Liberdade, liberdade, liberdade...

Overall Meaning

The song "Viola Enluarada" by Dori Caymmi tells the story of the power of music and the arts to not just entertain, but to also inspire change and promote freedom. The lyrics begin by describing the hands that play the guitar as having the power to wage war and hurt the earth, and the voice that sings as capable of singing songs of praise to death. However, both the hands and the voice have the potential to create hope and inspire freedom. The "viola" (a type of guitar) in the moonlit night in the countryside is compared to a sword, representing the hope of revenge for the oppressed. The same feet that dance the samba can also fight in the Capoeira martial art. The lyrics reflect on how those who have a companion at night know that peace is fleeting, and they must rise to defend their freedom and shout, "I'm going!" The song ends with the repeated chant of "liberdade," meaning freedom, emphasizing the message of the song.

Overall, "Viola Enluarada" is a powerful testament to the strength of the arts to both entertain and inspire positive change. It draws upon Brazil's rich musical traditions to promote a message of hope and freedom, encouraging listeners to take up the fight for what they believe in.

Line by Line Meaning

A mão que toca um violão
The hand that plays a guitar

Se for preciso faz a guerra,
If necessary, it wages war

Mata o mundo, fere a terra.
Kills the world, wounds the earth.

A voz que canta uma canção
The voice that sings a song

Se for preciso canta um hino,
If necessary, it sings an anthem

Louva à morte.
Praises death.

Viola em noite enluarada
Guitar on a moonlit night

No sertão é como espada,
In the outback, it's like a sword,

Esperança de vingança.
Hope for revenge.

O mesmo pé que dança um samba
The same foot that dances a samba

Se preciso vai à luta,
If necessary, it goes to battle,