Dorival Caymmi (born April 30, 1914 in Salvador, Bahia - August 16, 2008, R… Read Full Bio ↴Dorival Caymmi (born April 30, 1914 in Salvador, Bahia - August 16, 2008, Rio de Janeiro) is considered to be one to the most important songwriters in Brazilian popular music. The son of an Italian immigrant and a black Bahian woman, he has a distinctive style of his own and is the writer of many classic songs. The sambas, such as 'O Samba Da Minha Terra', have become standards of Música Popular Brasileira. He also wrote ballads celebrating the fearless fishermen of Bahia, including Promessa de Pescador and O Vento.

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.

Pescaria
Dorival Caymmi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

O canoeiro
Bota rede
Bota rede no mar
O canoeiro
Bota rede no mar

Cerca o peixe
Bate o remo

Puxa corda
Colhe a rede
O canoeiro
Puxa rede do mar

Vai ter presente pra Chiquinha
Ter presente pra Iaia
O canoeiro puxa do mar

Cerca o peixe
Bate o remo
Puxa corda
Colhe a rede
O canoeiro
Puxa rede do mar

Louvado seja Deus
O meu pai

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dorival Caymmi's song "Pescaria" depict the life of a fisherman (canoeiro) who goes out to sea to fish. The song begins by describing how the fisherman "puts his net in the sea," suggesting that he is preparing to catch fish. As the fisherman rows his canoe, he surrounds the fish (cerca o peixe) and uses his oar to beat the water (bate o remo) in order to guide the fish towards his net.

The chorus repeats the actions of the fisherman, emphasizing his skill and determination. He pulls the rope (puxa corda) and gathers his net (colhe a rede) that is filled with fish, showcasing his hard work and success at catching a good catch. In the second verse, it is mentioned that the fisherman will have presents for Chiquinha and Iaia, possibly referring to loved ones or family members who will benefit from his fishing expedition.

The final line of the song, "Louvado seja Deus, o meu pai" (Praised be God, my father), expresses gratitude and recognition of the divine assistance received in the fisherman's journey. This line suggests a spiritual and thankful aspect to the fisherman's profession, acknowledging the importance of nature, luck, and personal effort in achieving success as a fisherman.

Line by Line Meaning

O canoeiro
The fisherman

Bota rede
Sets the net

Bota rede no mar
Places the net in the sea

Cerca o peixe
Surrounds the fish

Bate o remo
Paddles the oar

Puxa corda
Pulls the rope

Colhe a rede
Collects the net

O canoeiro
The fisherman

Puxa rede do mar
Pulls the net from the sea

Vai ter presente pra Chiquinha
Will have a gift for Chiquinha

Ter presente pra Iaia
Will have a gift for Iaia