Fundo de Quintal, or Grupo Fundo de Quintal as they sometimes refer to them… Read Full Bio ↴Fundo de Quintal, or Grupo Fundo de Quintal as they sometimes refer to themselves, brought a new public to the samba and inspired a generation of sambistas. Their sound has emanated beyond Rio to the U.S. and Europe. They earned numerous gold and platinum records along with ten Sharp awards as the best samba band in Brazil. Soon they will be here in the U.S.

O Grupo Fundo de Quintal mantem suas tradições e nunca se utilizou de outros instrumentos alheios a seu prestígio e performance em suas andanças pelo mundo. Quisera esses grupos novos que se intitulam de pagode, seguissem esse mesmo caminho em sua formação musical e instrumental... Sempre prevaleceu o som de cordas e percussão porque esses professores do samba, não necessitam de mais nada, além desses instrumentos para nos fazer cantar e sambar até o sol raiar.

More: http://www.fundodequintal.com.br/

Primeira Semente
Fundo de Quintal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Paulo plantou a primeira semente
E a jaqueira humildemente cresceu
E através de gerações foi mantendo
As tradições que você não conheceu

Poetas ritmistas e cantores
Eram seu valores
E a portela era feliz

Agora que a bananeira deu cacho
Você chega lá de baixo pra cortar nossa raiz

Dê uma volta no passado bem pior
Quem está errado e não quer pedir perdão

As folhas da jaqueira que eram belas
Hoje estão tão amarelas como folha de verão

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fundo de Quintal's "Primeira Semente" are an ode to the roots of samba and the importance of preserving traditions. The song tells the story of Paulo, who planted the first seed of a humble jackfruit tree that grew and thrived throughout generations. The jackfruit tree serves as a powerful symbol of the roots of samba, which were tended to by poets, musicians, and singers who valued tradition and formed communities around their art.

The lyrics also address the tensions between those who value tradition and those who seek to uproot it. The line "Agora que a bananeira deu cacho / Você chega lá de baixo pra cortar nossa raiz" (Now that the banana tree has born fruit / You come from below to cut our roots) suggests a threat to the traditions and roots that have been nurtured over time. The song urges listeners to remember the value of tradition and to seek forgiveness for the mistakes of the past, as represented by the jaqueira's now-yellow leaves.

Line by Line Meaning

Paulo plantou a primeira semente
A reference to the beginning of something, the planting of a seed that would grow over time.

E a jaqueira humildemente cresceu
Despite its humble beginnings, the tree grew strong and resilient.

E através de gerações foi mantendo
Through many generations, the tree remained a symbol of tradition and heritage.

As tradições que você não conheceu
These traditions and values may be unknown to you, but they are an important part of our culture and history.

Poetas ritmistas e cantores
Artists who are passionate about expressing themselves and preserving the culture.

Eram seu valores
These artists were valued and respected for their contributions.

E a portela era feliz
The Portela samba school was a source of joy and pride for the community.

Agora que a bananeira deu cacho
In this new era, with different opportunities arising.

Você chega lá de baixo pra cortar nossa raiz
Some people come in and try to destroy the foundation that we built with such care and dedication.

Dê uma volta no passado bem pior
It's important to examine our history and acknowledge the injustices that were committed in the past.

Quem está errado e não quer pedir perdão
Those who have wronged others must be held accountable and seek forgiveness.

As folhas da jaqueira que eram belas
Things that were once beautiful can wither away and lose their magic over time.

Hoje estão tão amarelas como folha de verão
Like the yellowing leaves of summer, the past may fade away but it's important to remember and learn from it.

Writer(s): Antonio Carlos Nascimento Pinto, Noca Da Portela

Contributed by Andrew L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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