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.

Maria Helena E Chiquinho
Jorge Ben Lyrics

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O choro, o abraço, o beijo
Do filho mestre-salas na sua mãe porta-bandeiras
Emocionou o sambódromo naquela segunda-feira
Colorida de amor e carnaval

Depois da luta do bem contra o mal
Um ano de brigas e intrigas
A paz veio dançando na passarela

Com uma evolução angelical

Digna da corte de Luiz XV
Para o delírio da platéia
Naquela segunda-feira abençoada
Abençoada mágica de carnaval

Parabéns Maria Helena e Chiquinho
Dançaram bonitinho
Como manda o figurino
Dançaram no sapatinho

Maria Helena e Chiquinho
Dançaram bonitinho
Como manda o figurino
Dançaram no sapatinho

Depois da luta do bem contra o mal
Um ano de brigas e intrigas
A paz veio dançando na passarela
Com uma evolução angelical

Digna da corte de Luiz XV
Para o delírio da platéia
Naquela segunda-feira abençoada
Abençoada mágica de carnaval

Maria Helena e Chiquinho
Dançaram bonitinho

Como manda o figurino
Dançaram no sapatinho

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jorge Ben's song "Maria Helena E Chiquinho" paint a picture of the beauty and joy that can be found in the spectacle of carnival, specifically in the samba schools' parades that take place in Rio de Janeiro's famous Sambódromo. The song describes the emotional impact of a mother-son moment during the parade, as the son, a master of ceremonies, embraces and kisses his mother, who is a flag-bearer, in a scene that touches the hearts of everyone present. The samba school's performance is also praised as a peaceful and angelic one, which represents a welcome change from the preceding year of conflict and trouble. The song ends with congratulations to the dancers, Maria Helena and Chiquinho, who danced beautifully and followed the traditional sequence.

Musically, this song showcases Jorge Ben's signature blending of samba rhythms with rock, funk, and other genres. The song features a catchy melody, upbeat guitar riffs, and a full brass section. The lyrics are sung in a celebratory tone, matching the festive mood of the carnival.

Line by Line Meaning

O choro, o abraço, o beijo
The crying, embrace, and kiss

Do filho mestre-salas na sua mãe porta-bandeiras
Of the son who is the master of ceremonies and his mother who carries the flag

Emocionou o sambódromo naquela segunda-feira
Moved the sambadrome on that Monday

Colorida de amor e carnaval
Colored with love and carnival

Depois da luta do bem contra o mal
After the battle between good and evil

Um ano de brigas e intrigas
A year of fights and intrigues

A paz veio dançando na passarela
Peace came dancing on the runway

Com uma evolução angelical
With an angelic evolution

Digna da corte de Luiz XV
Worthy of the court of Louis XV

Para o delírio da platéia
For the delight of the audience

Naquela segunda-feira abençoada
On that blessed Monday