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.
Oração de Mãe Menininha
Dorival Caymmi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Minha mãe Menininha!
Ai, minha mãe
Menininha do Gantois!
Ai, minha mãe
Minha mãe Menininha!
Ai, minha mãe
A estrela mais linda, hein
Tá no Gantois
E o sol mais brilhante, hein
Tá no Gantois
A beleza do mundo, hein
Tá no Gantois
E a mão da doçura, hein
Tá no Gantois
O consolo da gente, hein
Tá no Gantois
E a Oxum mais bonita, hein
Tá no Gantois
Olorum quem mandou essa filha de Oxum
Tomar conta da gente e de tudo cuidar
Olorum quem mandou eô, ora iê iê ô
The lyrics to the song Oracão de Mãe Menininha by Dorival Caymmi are a tribute to Mãe (Mother) Menininha, a legendary religious leader and healer from the Gantois community (a religious community that practices Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé) in Salvador, Bahia. The song begins with the singer calling out to "Minha mãe (my mother) Menininha" with a sense of deep reverence and devotion. Menininha is regarded as a spiritual figure who embodies compassion, wisdom, and motherly love - qualities that are reflected in the lyrics.
The song goes on to describe some of the things that make Gantois special - the starshine and sunshine that seem brighter there, the beauty of the world, and the sweetness of its people. The lyrics also mention Oxum, one of the most important orixás (deities) in Candomblé, and suggest that she is particularly beautiful in Gantois. The final lines of the song express the idea that Menininha was sent by Olorum (the supreme being in Candomblé) to take care of and console those in need.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the Gantois community as a place of great spiritual significance and powerful, nurturing feminine energy. The singer's deep respect for Menininha, her role in the community, and her connection to the divine are palpable throughout.
Line by Line Meaning
Ai, minha mãe
Expression of affection and admiration for Mother Menininha
Minha mãe Menininha!
Referring to Mother Menininha, a respected figure from Gantois
Menininha do Gantois!
Further emphasizing her connection to Gantois
A estrela mais linda, hein
Gantois is compared to a beautiful star
Tá no Gantois
Saying that the most beautiful things are found in Gantois
E o sol mais brilhante, hein
Gantois is also compared to a bright sun
A beleza do mundo, hein
Acknowledging that the beauty of the world is present in Gantois
E a mão da doçura, hein
Mother Menininha's gentle touch is praised
Tá no Gantois
Once again emphasizing that Gantois is where everything good can be found
O consolo da gente, hein
Gantois is regarded as a place where one can find comfort and solace
E a Oxum mais bonita, hein
Referencing one of the popular deities worshipped by the people of Gantois
Tá no Gantois
The beauty and grace of Oxum is said to be present in Gantois
Olorum quem mandou essa filha de Oxum
Acknowledging that it was Olorum (the supreme god in the Yoruba religion) who sent Mother Menininha, a daughter of Oxum, to care for them
Tomar conta da gente e de tudo cuidar
Mother Menininha is glorified for taking care of the people and everything around them
Olorum quem mandou eô, ora iê iê ô
Repeating that it was Olorum who sent Mother Menininha, singing it in a joyful and celebratory tone
Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JoLima
Ainda bem que foi em outra época. Será que seria todo esse sucesso se fosse desse tempo trevoso de agora?
Leandro Braga
Caymmi é um grande gênio da nossa cultura. Que orgulho!!!
Luciano Garcez
Quanto Axé ! Maravilhoso !
Josiane Pantoja
Pra sempre em nossos corações
anny paulina
muito lindo! amei
PAULO CONFORTO
Obra de arte!!!!
O amor vencerá o ódio.
Feliz encontro de grandes gigantes da música popular brasileira. Amo tudo isso!!!!!
Luciano Leao
Heineken, obrigado por patrocinar sempre o melhor, e por hoje não fazer cerveja com milho ou outros cereais não malteados!!!
Gadão de altíssimo valor busca unicórnio
E pensar que, nessa época, a Heineken era uma cerveja de nicho (alta renda).
Regina Coria
Josee Koning, uma cantora holandesa.