Jorge Duílio Lima Meneses, known professionally as Jorge Ben Jor, and previ… Read Full Bio ↴Jorge Duílio Lima Meneses, known professionally as Jorge Ben Jor, and previously as Jorge Ben, is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and musician.

His characteristic style fuses rock and roll, samba, bossa nova, jazz, maracatu, funk, ska and even hip hop, with lyrics that mix humor and satire, as well as themes esoteric. Jorge's work has a unique importance for Brazilian music, as it incorporates new elements in swing and guitar playing, with characteristics of North American rock, soul and funk. Furthermore, he brought Arab and African influences, coming from his mother, born in Ethiopia.

He influenced sambalanço and samba-rock and was covered and honored by countless exponents of the new generations of Brazilian music, such as Mundo Livre S/A, Os Paralamas do Sucesso, Skank, Fernanda Abreu, Racionais MC's and Belô Velloso. Jorge Ben Jor exploded with the song "Mas, Que Nada!" and, soon after, ratified his talent with another great hit, "Chove Chuva". Two songs that were neither bossa nova nor samba. Purists thought his music was too modern. It was difficult for musicians at the time to follow him, so much so that his first albums were recorded with a group that played samba jazz at Beco das Garrafas, Meirelles e os Copa 5, led by saxophonist J. T. Meirelles.

A Rainha Foi Embora
Jorge Ben Lyrics

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Rola pedra rola pedra
Que esta chuva é garoa
Quanto mais eu rolo pedra
Mais a coisa fica boa
A rainha foi embora
A rainha foi embora
Se houvesse sensibilidade
A rainha não iria embora

Se houvesse sensibilidade
Seria feriado agora
Rainha muito obrigado
Pelos seios, pela paz
Pelos ensinamentos
Pela luta
Pelo amor
Pela alegria
Pela ternura
Pela dignidade
Oh Rainha
Perdão se eu deixei você triste
Perdão se eu não fui
Um bom súdito
Perdão se eu maculei o seu reinado
Oh Rainha
Oh Rainha
Oh Rainha
Oh Rainha
Perdão pelas coisas e causas
Que eu não consegui resolver
Perdão pelas coisas e causas
Que eu não consegui resolver
Vai embora mas vai vai vai
Me amando
Vai embora mas vai vai vai
Me amando
Oh Rainha
Oh Rainha

Rola pedra rola pedra
Que esta chuva é garoa

Quanto mais eu rolo pedra
Mais a coisa fica boa

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jorge Ben's "A Rainha Foi Embora" tell the story of a queen leaving her kingdom, and reflect on the importance of sensitivity in relationships. The repeated lines "Rola pedra rola pedra" ("Roll, rock, roll, rock") emphasize the idea of rolling a stone, which suggest an ongoing effort to keep things moving and progressing, even in the face of challenges. The singer acknowledges that if there had been more sensitivity in their relationship, the queen might not have left. The lyrics express gratitude for the queen and the many qualities she brought to their life, including her breasts, peace, teaching, fighting spirit, love, joy, tenderness, and dignity.

The song is about more than just a romantic relationship - it can also be interpreted as a commentary on political leadership, particularly in Brazil, where Jorge Ben is from. The queen could represent a beloved leader who has been forced to leave due to political pressures or corruption, and the chorus of "Oh Rainha / Perdão pelas coisas e causas que eu não consegui resolver" ("Oh queen / Sorry for things and causes I couldn't solve") reflects the feelings of helplessness and regret that one might feel when a leader they admire is forced to leave.

Line by Line Meaning

Rola pedra rola pedra
Keep pushing forward, keep pushing forward

Que esta chuva é garoa
This rain is just a drizzle

Quanto mais eu rolo pedra
The more I push forward

Mais a coisa fica boa
The better things become

A rainha foi embora
The queen has left

Se houvesse sensibilidade
If only there was sensitivity

A rainha não iria embora
The queen wouldn't have left

Se houvesse sensibilidade
If only there was sensitivity

Seria feriado agora
It would be a holiday now

Rainha muito obrigado
Thank you so much, Queen

Pelos seios, pela paz
For your breasts, for peace