Although his songs celebrate the people of Bahia and he himself is enshrined in the popular Brazilian imagination as the archetypal Bahian, he moved to Rio de Janeiro to find fame in the 1930's and never moved back to Bahia.
He became a contemporary and sometimes rival of composer Ary Barroso and enjoyed a lifelong friendship with Bahian author Jorge Amado. Dorival Caymmi first achieved success in the late 1930s with Carmen Miranda, for whom he composed 'O Que é Que a Baiana Tem?'. He recorded for five decades, both singing solo with his own guitar accompaniment, and backed by bands and orchestras. In the 1960s many of his songs were covered by bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto, and he collaborated with Antonio Carlos Jobim. Among the many musicians heavily influenced by Dorival Caymmi are Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.
Dorival Caymmi passed away at age 94 on August 16, 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, of multiple organ failure. He is survived by three children, all of whom are in the prominent musicians: Nana, Danilo and Dori Caymmi.
O Vento
Dorival Caymmi Lyrics
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Vamos chamar o vento
Vento que dá na vela
Vela que leva o barco
Barco que leva a gente
Gente que leva o peixe
Peixe que dá dinheiro, Curimã
Curimã ê, Curimã lambaio
Curimã ê, Curimã lambaio
Curimã
Curimã ê, Curimã lambaio
Curimã ê, Curimã lambaio
Curimã
Vamos chamar o vento
Vamos chamar o vento
Vento que dá na vela
Vento que vira o barco
Barco que leva a gente
Gente que leva o peixe
Peixe que dá dinheiro, Curimã
Vamos chamar o vento
Vamos chamar o vento
The lyrics of Dorival Caymmi's song "O Vento" celebrate the role of the wind in the lives of the fishermen in Bahia, Brazil. The repetitive chorus of "Vamos chamar o vento" ("Let's call the wind") sets the tone for the song, emphasizing the fishermen's reliance on the wind to navigate the sea and catch fish to make a living. The verses describe the chain of events that the wind sets in motion: it fills the sail, which propels the boat, which carries the fishermen to the fishing grounds, where they catch fish that they can sell for money. The mention of the curimã, a type of fish found in Bahia, adds a specific cultural reference and highlights the economic importance of the fishing industry for the local community.
Beyond its literal meaning, "O Vento" can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the resilience and resourcefulness of the people of Bahia. Like the wind, they face the challenges of life head-on and find ways to adapt and overcome them. The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy melody reinforce this message of hope and optimism, reflecting the joyful spirit of Brazilian music and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Vamos chamar o vento
Let's summon the wind
Vento que dá na vela
Wind that hits the sail
Vela que leva o barco
Sail that carries the boat
Barco que leva a gente
Boat that carries people
Gente que leva o peixe
People who catch fish
Peixe que dá dinheiro, Curimã
Fish that brings money, Curimã
Curimã ê, Curimã lambaio
Curimã ê, Curimã lambaio
Vamos chamar o vento
Let's summon the wind
Vento que dá na vela
Wind that hits the sail
Vento que vira o barco
Wind that turns the boat
Barco que leva a gente
Boat that carries people
Gente que leva o peixe
People who catch fish
Peixe que dá dinheiro, Curimã
Fish that brings money, Curimã
Vamos chamar o vento
Let's summon the wind
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mulher Frugal
Essa música faz viajar, é quase espiritual, a nossa alma se transporta ,ouvir isso numa praia do Nordeste,deve ser o Paraíso.
Rosita leão
É assim que chamo o vento, aprendi quando pequena com meu irmão que sempre foi muito espiritual....um sábio que agora mora no céu.
Comédia no rio
Maravilha.
Cássio Ruã
Que fantástico esse compartilhamento seu! Gratidão!
luzia felipe
Eu tbm!!! Tive essa intuiçao qd ouvi pela primeira vez essa música!
Isabela Rafful
junto a pixinguinha e luis gonzaga , dorival caymmi é um dos pilares de nossa musica.ESSENCIAL.
Eli Pinto Borges
Música de mistério e romantismo, música de meditação e calmaria, música de Dorival Caymmi Não teve e não terá outro igual
Juliana Ribeiro
é verdade! ele foi único, vc resumiu muito bem
Rachell Paula
Atentem para o artista em plena atuação! Emocionante! De fazer chorar!
Projeto Escolar
que voz, que trovão, até mar estremece diante do Dorival