João Nogueira (November 12, 1941 - June 5, 2000) was a Brazilian singer and… Read Full Bio ↴João Nogueira (November 12, 1941 - June 5, 2000) was a Brazilian singer and composer, famous for his samba compositions. He was born in Rio de Janeiro.

His first composition, "Espera ó Nega" was recorded in 1968, however it was in 1970 that he gained notoriety when Elizeth Cardoso recorded his song "Corrente de Aço". His music has been recorded by some of Brazil's most well known singers such as Elis Regina, Clara Nunes, Emílio Santiago, Beth Carvalho and Alcione.

Mineira
João Nogueira Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Clara,
abre o pano do passado,
tira a preta do cerrado
Pôe rei congo no congá
Anda canta um samba verdadeiro,
faz o que mandou o mineiro
Ô mineira

Samba que samba no bole que bole
Oi morena do balaio mole se embala do som dos tantãs
Quebra no balacochê do cavaco e rebola no balacubaco
Se embola dos balagandãs
Mexe no meio que eu sambo do lado vem naquele bamboleado
Que eu também sou bam, bam, bam

Vai cai no samba cai e o samba vai até de manhã
Vai cai no samba cai e o samba vai até de manhã

Ô saravá mineira guerreira que é filha de Ogum com Iansã

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Mineira" by João Nogueira are a tribute to the culture and traditions of Minas Gerais, a state in southeastern Brazil known for its artistic and musical traditions. The song begins with a call to Clara, presumably a reference to Clara Nunes, another famous Brazilian singer who was known for her interpretations of samba and other Brazilian genres. The singer asks Clara to open the curtain on the past and bring forth a representation of the black culture that thrived in the cerrado, or savannah, of Minas Gerais. The mention of the "rei congo" refers to one of the many forms of African-influenced music and dance that developed in Brazil, particularly in the state of Minas Gerais.

Line by Line Meaning

Clara, abre o pano do passado
Hey Clara, let's revisit the past and reminisce

Tira a preta do cerrado
Remember the slaves and their struggles

Pôe rei congo no congá
Let's celebrate the African culture and traditions

Anda canta um samba verdadeiro
Let's sing a pure and authentic samba

Faz o que mandou o mineiro
Just like the miners from Minas Gerais, let's enjoy the music

Ô mineira
Hey woman from Minas Gerais

Samba que samba no bole que bole
The samba makes your waist move and groove

Oi morena do balaio mole se embala do som dos tantãs
Hey, if you're feeling the samba, then let's dance to the beat of the drums

Quebra no balacochê do cavaco e rebola no balacubaco
Let's groove with the rhythm of the cavaquinho and shake our hips

Se embola dos balagandãs
Let's get tangled up in the fun and joy of the samba

Mexe no meio que eu sambo do lado vem naquele bamboleado
Let's dance together and sway our bodies in sync with the beat