Elba Maria Nunes Ramalho (born August 17, 1951 in Conceição, Paraíba, Brazi… Read Full Bio ↴Elba Maria Nunes Ramalho (born August 17, 1951 in Conceição, Paraíba, Brazil), best known as Elba Ramalho, is a Brazilian MPB singer, songwriter, performer, multi-instrumentalist and actress. Her musical style is characteristic for the traditional sounds of the Northeastern region of Brazil, such as baião, xote, xaxado, frevo, forró, and others.

Elba Ramalho was born in the rural area of Conceição, in Vale do Piancó. In 1962, the family moved to the city of Campina Grande, also in Paraíba. Her father became the owner of the local theater. Daughter of a musician, she became interested in music still as a teenager.

In 1966, she participated, for the first time, in a performance on stage, in the Choir of the Fundação Artística e Cultural Manuel Bandeira, of which she was a member, with "Evocação do Recife". The Manuel Bandeira and Cecília Meireles Talking Choirs gained fame and started to be seen all over the Northeast, and Elba, who made her first presentation on stage together with them, soon became the highlight in the presentations. She starred in the poetic montages of Castro Alves, Thiago de Mello, Lindolfo Bell, Carlos Pena Filho and Figueiredo Agra. He participated in the montages of the plays "Ministro do Supremo" and "Diálogo das Carmelitas."

In 1968, while attending college of Economics and Sociology at the Federal University of Paraíba, she formed the ensemble As Brasas, in which she acted as drummer, which later became a theater group. However, Elba never stopped singing, and performed in several festivals throughout the Northeast.

In 1979, she released her first album, "Ave de Prata", and since then she has consolidated her position as one of the main Brazilian singers in activity. On her father's side, she is a cousin of fellow singer Zé Ramalho.

She has two Latin Grammys for her albums: Qual o Assunto Que Mais Lhe importa?, released in 2008, and Balaio de Amor, 2009, in the category Best Brazilian Roots Album: Regional and Tropical. In over 35 years of career, Elba Ramalho has sold more than 10 million albums. She received from the Art Critics Association of São Paulo the award "Best Show of the Year" on two occasions: in 1989 for the show Popular Brasileira and in 1996 for the show Leão do Norte.

São João Na Estrada
Elba Ramalho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Na cidade grande
Por mais que eu ande
Ainda me espanto

Quando ouço uma explosão
Lá no interior sempre era São João
Lá no interior sempre era São João
Viva São João

Meu carneirinho
Como te esperei
Ano inteirinho
Ao pé da fogueira
Madeira, velame
Que o nosso amor inflame a noite inteira
Rasteiro ou no chão

A gente se esquenta
E arrebenta a boca do balão

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elba Ramalho's song "São João Na Estrada" capture the artist's nostalgic feelings towards the celebration of São João in the Brazilian countryside. The song expresses the contrast between the bustling city life and the familiar traditions of the interior. The line "Na cidade grande, por mais que eu ande, ainda me espanto" ("In the big city, no matter how much I walk, I am still amazed") suggests the singer's surprise and longing for the simplicity and authenticity of the São João festivities in the countryside.

The mention of an explosion refers to the fireworks typically associated with São João celebrations, which are often more prominent and breathtaking in rural areas. The repetition of the line "Lá no interior sempre era São João" ("There in the interior, it was always São João") emphasizes the enduring nature of the rural tradition and its connection to the festival.

The lyrics also touch upon personal emotions and desires. The reference to "meu carneirinho" ("my little lamb") implies a term of endearment or longing for a loved one, symbolizing the deep affection and anticipation for São João throughout the year. The imagery of sitting beside the bonfire, with the wood and canvas inflaming their love throughout the night, evokes the warmth, intimacy, and passion that accompany the festivities.

Overall, Elba Ramalho's "São João Na Estrada" expresses a sense of admiration, yearning, and celebration for the unique cultural heritage and joyous atmosphere of the São João festivities in the rural regions of Brazil.

Line by Line Meaning

Na cidade grande
In the big city

Por mais que eu ande
No matter how much I wander

Ainda me espanto
I am still amazed

Quando ouço uma explosão
When I hear an explosion

Lá no interior sempre era São João
In the countryside it was always São João

Viva São João
Long live São João

Meu carneirinho
My little lamb

Como te esperei
How I waited for you

Ano inteirinho
The whole year

Ao pé da fogueira
By the bonfire

Madeira, velame
Wood, canvas