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.

Carnaval Triste
Jorge Ben Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
Carnaval foi triste pra mim
Carnaval foi triste pra mim

Então sua voz emudeceu
A escola não sambou
E o morro não desceu

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
Carnaval foi triste pra mim
Carnaval foi triste pra mim

Rasguei a fantasia e chorei
Chorei por não poder brincar
Tristeza e dor no carnaval

Carnaval foi triste pra mim

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
Carnaval foi triste pra mim

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jorge Ben's song Carnaval Triste convey a sense of disappointment and sorrow in the midst of the festive celebrations of Brazil's famous Carnival. The repetition of the refrain "Carnaval foi triste pra mim" (Carnival was sad for me) emphasizes the singer's feelings of isolation and disconnection from the festivities around him. The lines "Então sua voz emudeceu / A escola não sambou / E o morro não desceu" (Then your voice was silenced / The school didn't dance / And the hill didn't come down) suggest that something went wrong, that the usual joyous sounds and sights of Carnival did not materialize as expected.

The following lines "Rasguei a fantasia e chorei / Chorei por não poder brincar / Tristeza e dor no carnaval" (I tore my costume and cried / Cried for not being able to play / Sadness and pain on Carnival) reinforce the idea that the singer is unable to fully participate in the fun of Carnival, either because of personal troubles or because of external circumstances. The mood of the song is somber, in contrast to the usual upbeat and colorful vibe of Carnival, and it touches on universal themes of disappointment, longing, and the weight of solitude.

Line by Line Meaning

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
I didn't enjoy the Carnival festivities this year

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
It was a disappointing Carnival for me

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
I didn't have a good time during Carnival

Então sua voz emudeceu
Then your voice became silent

A escola não sambou
The school didn't dance the samba

E o morro não desceu
And the favela didn't come down to join the celebrations

Rasguei a fantasia e chorei
I tore off my costume and cried

Chorei por não poder brincar
I cried because I couldn't play

Tristeza e dor no carnaval
Sadness and pain during Carnival

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
I didn't have a good time during Carnival

Carnaval foi triste pra mim
It was a disappointing Carnival for me