João Bosco de Freitas Mucci, better known as João Bosco is a noted Brazilia… Read Full Bio ↴João Bosco de Freitas Mucci, better known as João Bosco is a noted Brazilian singer with a distinctive style as a guitarist. In the 1970s he established his reputation in MPB alongside collaborator lyricist Aldir Blanc.

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.

Sassaô
João Bosco Lyrics

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Na serra da barriga eu ouço a sabiá
Me banho na bacia do Recôncavo
Me dano porque corto a jaca na banda
Me ganham com perfume Cataratas do Amor
Menina eu já plantei
Um pé de manacá
Pra gente ir lá sarrar
Sarrar e se abraçar

Cada bacana tem sua levada
Com a boca torta, o som
A batucada assanhou...
E a batucada vem-que-vem danada
Força da raça, o povo, na alvorada cantou:

É Rosicler clarão na noite fechada
Bendito seja o pão e a graça que deus dá

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Sassaô" by João Bosco are a celebration of the Brazilian culture and the countryside life. The song starts with a reference to the Serra da Barriga, a mountain range in the state of Alagoas known for its scenic beauty. The singer hears the sound of a sabiá, a Brazilian bird renowned for its beautiful song. The reference to nature continues with the mention of the Recôncavo basin, a region known for its fertile soil and the production of sugarcane.

The singer goes on to talk about his experiences cutting a jackfruit, a tropical fruit known for its sweet flavor and distinct aroma. He is also enticed by the fragrance of the Cataratas do Amor (Waterfalls of Love) perfume. The lyrics then shift to a romantic theme, with the singer saying he planted a manacá tree for him and his girl to "sarrar" (a slang term that refers to dancing and getting close to each other) and embrace under its flowers.

The song then takes on a more upbeat and festive tone, with the references to the different "levadas" (rhythmic patterns) that each person has and the sound of the "batucada" (drumming ensemble). The chorus celebrates the "força da raça" (strength of the people) and the "alvorada" (dawn), a time that symbolizes new beginnings and hope. The final lines are a nod to the importance of bread and grace in life.

Overall, "Sassaô" is a joyful and colorful song that showcases the diversity and richness of Brazilian culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Na serra da barriga eu ouço a sabiá
I hear the song of the sabiá bird in the Serra da Barriga mountains.

Me banho na bacia do Recôncavo
I take a bath in the Recôncavo basin.

Me dano porque corto a jaca na banda
I hurt myself while cutting the jackfruit on the other side.

Me ganham com perfume Cataratas do Amor
They win me over with the perfume of the Cataratas do Amor.

Menina eu já plantei
Girl, I have already planted

Um pé de manacá
A manacá tree

Pra gente ir lá sarrar
So that we can go there and dance close together

Sarrar e se abraçar
Dancing close and embracing each other

Cada bacana tem sua levada
Everyone has their own rhythm

Com a boca torta, o som
With a crooked mouth, the sound