Born on July 13, 1946, in Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais, João Bosco's profession was engineering when he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where his songs were also recorded by Elis Regina and were a success. He soon became admired as a versatile vocalist and a dynamic performer. João Bosco has been noted for "his singular fusion of Arab culture, Afro-American music and Brazilian styles bossa nova," influenced by American jazz.
Amon Rá E O Cavalo De Tróia
João Bosco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que dia de festa de rei
Abriu sol, abriu céu
Quem março melaço que fez
A mesa de gala
A pompa da sala
O vinho escorre
Na ponta da faca
A pata afunda
Empina, galopa
Rebola, revira
Relincha risonha
(Arreia rá brida do meu cavalo)
Amom Rá, Amém pai
Que demo gracinha de rei
Amainai, animai
A festa não deve acabar
O lombo dourado
A taça cruzada
A perna de fora
Espada de lado
(Há há há há heim)
Corneta calada
Vigia tombado
O riso, o beijo
O sono e a morte
(Arreia rá sela do meu cavalo)
(Arreia rá sela do meu cavalo)
Deixa, espera, vem
Vai, agora, vai . . .
Vai chegar, vai chegar
O cavalo novo vai chegar
O cavalo novo já vem lá
O cavalo novo sem rei
Repele, rebate
Resiste, combate
Recebe, revida
Acaba com baile
(Há há há há heim)
A mula, o asno
A besta, o burro
O fogo, a fuga
O grifo da fera
Depressa acabou
A festa da cavalada . . .
The song Amon Rá E O Cavalo De Tróia by João Bosco starts with the invocation of the god Amon Rá, who was the chief god in ancient Egyptian mythology. "Amem pai" means "Amen, father" which is probably an allusion to the biblical references of amen which means "so be it". The singer then describes a day of celebration fit for a king, with the sun shining and the sky blue. However, things get sticky when someone put a damper on the festivities by bringing March's syrup which contaminated the vibe of the whole party. The atmosphere changes and the singer describes the decadent and luxurious setting filled with people relishing in the pleasure of the occasion. Meanwhile, the wine flows freely, but the singer warns that someone's going to get hurt because the emotions are running high.
The second verse brings the mention of a new horse with no owner in sight. The party-goers seem to be urged to wait and prepare for its arrival, so they can claim it for themselves. The description is filled with sensuality and the list of details is endless. Cornets are not allowed to disturb the peace, vigilantes are asleep, laughter and kisses are in the air. The rider then invites someone to put the saddle on his horse to ride and to accommodate his guest with another horse to ride. The song ends with an act of rebellion led by the unnamed new horse that appears suddenly at the end of the song, it shatters the peace, causing chaos, the end of the party, and the end of the festival of the horses.
Line by Line Meaning
Amon Rá, Amem pai
Praising the god Amon Rá and asking for his blessing
Que dia de festa de rei
Celebrating a royal feast day
Abriu sol, abriu céu
The sun is shining and the sky is clear, a good day for the feast
Quem março melaço que fez
Asking who made the sweet syrup for the feast
A mesa de gala
Admiring the fancy table for the feast
A pompa da sala
Describing the grandeur of the room where the feast is being held
O vinho escorre
Observing the wine flowing, possibly spilled on someone's knife
Na ponta da faca
Describing how the wine is dripping on the knife
(Há há há há heim)
An interjection of laughter
A pata afunda
Describing a horse's step as it sinks its hoof into the ground
Empina, galopa
Describing the horse's movements as it gallops and lifts its front legs
Rebola, revira
Describing the horse's movements as it rolls and turns around
Relincha risonha
Describing the horse's happy neighing
(Arreia rá brida do meu cavalo)
Asking someone to saddle up his horse and prepare to ride
Amom Rá, Amém pai
Praising the god Amon Rá and asking for his blessing
Que demo gracinha de rei
Complaining about the king's mischievous behavior
Amainai, animai
Urging others to calm down and enjoy the festivities
A festa não deve acabar
Expressing a desire to keep the party going
O lombo dourado
Describing the golden saddle of a horse
A taça cruzada
Describing a crossed sword and cup, traditionally a symbol of victory
A perna de fora
Describing the exposure of the leg of someone's pants or dress
Espada de lado
Describing a sword held at someone's side
(Há há há há heim)
An interjection of laughter
Corneta calada
Describing a silent horn, possibly indicating a pause in the festivities
Vigia tombado
Describing a fallen guard or sentry, possibly asleep
O riso, o beijo
Listing the sounds of laughter and kisses
O sono e a morte
Listing the sounds of sleep and death
(Arreia rá sela do meu cavalo)
Asking someone to saddle up his horse and prepare to ride
(Arreia rá sela do meu cavalo)
Asking someone to saddle up his horse and prepare to ride
Deixa, espera, vem
Encouraging someone to wait and be patient for something to happen
Vai, agora, vai . . .
Telling someone to go and not worry
Vai chegar, vai chegar
Reassuring that something good is coming
O cavalo novo vai chegar
Anticipating the arrival of a new horse
O cavalo novo já vem lá
Confirming that the new horse is already on its way
O cavalo novo sem rei
Noting that the new horse has no rider yet
Repele, rebate
Describing the resistance and fighting spirit of the horse
Resiste, combate
Describing the horse's resilience and will to fight
Recebe, revida
Describing how the horse responds to attacks
Acaba com baile
Ending the dance, possibly signaling the end of the festivities
(Há há há há heim)
An interjection of laughter
A mula, o asno
Listing other animals, possibly indicating the end of the horse-related festivities
A besta, o burro
Listing more animals
O fogo, a fuga
Ending with the sounds of fire and escape, possibly indicating the end of the feast and everyone going home
O grifo da fera
Possibly referring to a mythical creature like a griffin, or a lion or tiger escaping from its cage
Depressa acabou
Quickly, the horse-related festivities are over
A festa da cavalada . . .
Closing the song with a reference to the horse-themed celebration that has come to an end
Contributed by Dominic I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.