From 1972 until 1975, when this record was made, Santiago’s main gig was as ‘crooner’ in Ed Lincoln’s Orchestra. As Lincoln’s long time friend and cohort, it was obvious that Durval Ferreira, (in his capacity as Artistic Director at CID) would be one of the first to recognise the extraordinary talent of the young singer; thus Ferreira signed a deal with Santiago to make this album, supported by absolutely the best players and arrangers, and singing songs by Brazil’s best composers. ‘Emilio Santiago’ is one of the jewels in the crown of the CID catalogue. whatmusic.com is very proud to present Santiago’s classic, reissued in its original form for the first time.
Canto De Ossanha
Emílio Santiago Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Porque quem dá mesmo, não diz
O homem que diz vou, não vai
Porque quando foi já não quis
O homem que diz sou, não é
Porque quem é mesmo é, não sou
O homem que diz estou, não está
Porque ninguém está quando quer
No canto de Ossanha traidor
Coitado do homem que vai
Atrás de mandinga de amor
Vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai
Não vou que eu não sou ninguém de ir
Em conversa de esquecer
A tristeza de uma amor que passou
Não, eu só vou se for pra ver
Uma estrela aparecer
Na manhã de um novo amor
Amigo, sinhô, saravá!
Xangô me mandou lhe dizer
Se é canto de Ossanha, não vá
Que muito vai se arrepender
Pergunte pro seu orixá
Amor só é bom se dor
Vai, vai, vai amar
Vai, vai, vai sofrer
Vai, vai, vai, vai chorar
Vai, vai, vai
Dizer que eu não sou ninguém de ir
The lyrics of Emílio Santiago's song Canto de Ossanha are a warning against the dangers of seeking love through the use of magic spells and the manipulation of mystical forces. The first set of verses dismisses the boastful declarations made by men who claim to give, go, be, or stay, indicating that those who truly possess those qualities do not need to announce them to the world. The final lines express pity for those who fall under the spell of Ossanha, a powerful orisha associated with fertility and healing, but who can also be deceptive and vengeful.
The second set of verses presents a more personal perspective, as the singer refuses to be swayed by the promise of forgetting a past love and only agrees to pursue a new one under the condition of seeing a "new star" appear in his life. However, even this cautious approach is met with a warning from Xangô, another orisha who represents justice and authority, who tells the singer that seeking love through Ossanha's magic will only lead to pain and suffering. The refrain repeats the phrase "vai, vai, vai" (go, go, go) in a mocking tone, suggesting that those who ignore these warnings and fall under Ossanha's spell are doomed to repeat the same cycle of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
O homem que diz dou, não dá
A man who says he will do something often fails to follow through with it.
Porque quem dá mesmo, não diz
People who truly give do not feel the need to announce their generosity to others.
O homem que diz vou, não vai
Someone who constantly talks about their plans may not actually follow through with them.
Porque quando foi já não quis
When the time comes to take action, they may lack the motivation or desire to see it through.
O homem que diz sou, não é
A person who constantly announces who they are or how they feel about themselves may actually be the opposite of what they claim.
Porque quem é mesmo é, não sou
People who truly embody a certain quality or trait do not need to talk about it; it simply shines through their actions.
O homem que diz estou, não está
Someone who constantly announces their presence or availability may not actually be there when needed.
Porque ninguém está quando quer
People's availability and willingness to help may be unpredictable and inconsistent.
Coitado do homem que cai
Pity the man who falls into the trap of believing in false promises or illusions.
No canto de Ossanha traidor
This refers to a type of ritualistic song meant to entice or deceive someone, often used in love spells or other manipulations.
Coitado do homem que vai
Pity the man who falls for the lure of false promises or manipulations regarding love.
Atrás de mandinga de amor
This refers to seeking out love through magical or ritualistic means, which may not be genuine or lasting.
Vai, vai, vai, não vou
Repeatedly insisting that you will resist temptation or manipulation, even as you are drawn toward it.
Não vou que eu não sou ninguém de ir
Declaring that you will only take action or pursue something if it aligns with your true desires and values.
Em conversa de esquecer
Regarding discussions or interactions that are ultimately unimportant or forgettable.
A tristeza de uma amor que passou
Referring to the sorrow that can come with losing a past love.
Não, eu só vou se for pra ver
Declaring that you will only take action or pursue something if you have a clear and genuine reason to do so.
Uma estrela aparecer
Looking for a sign or symbol that will guide your actions or decisions.
Na manhã de um novo amor
Hoping for the possibility of a new and genuine love in the future.
Amigo, sinhô, saravá!
A greeting or salutation, indicating respect and familiarity.
Xangô me mandou lhe dizer
Referring to a deity or spiritual power, Xangô, as a source of guidance or wisdom.
Se é canto de Ossanha, não vá
Warning against the lure of false promises or manipulations, specifically those involving the ritualistic song Ossanha.
Que muito vai se arrepender
Emphasizing the negative consequences that can come from being drawn in by false promises.
Pergunte pro seu orixá
Encouraging the listener to seek guidance and wisdom from their own personal deity or spiritual power.
Amor só é bom se dor
Implying that true love requires some level of suffering or challenge in order to be genuine and lasting.
Vai, vai, vai amar
Encouraging the listener to pursue love and connection, even in the midst of potential pain or difficulty.
Vai, vai, vai sofrer
Acknowledging the inevitability of pain and suffering in the pursuit of love and connection.
Vai, vai, vai, vai chorar
Emphasizing the emotional intensity and depth of that pain and suffering.
Vai, vai, vai
Repeating the same refrain of encouragement, urging the listener to keep pursuing love and connection despite the potential difficulties involved.
Writer(s): Vinicius de Moraes, Baden Powell
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.