Lola
Justino Delgado Lyrics
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ku ta estan bonitos na nha curpu lento
cada leis de tempo antigo kana segan
con tudo abo ku ta cortan fazendas
con tudo abo ku ta cortan ratayus
The lyrics to Justino Delgado's song Lola are in Cape Verdean Creole, a language spoken in Cape Verde, a group of islands off the coast of West Africa. The lyrics talk about a woman (Lola) who is telling her lover how much she loves her black dress and her slow body. She swears to her lover that she will never let anyone cut her dress or harm her.
The song's lyrics are full of metaphors, symbolism and cultural references. The use of the color black, for instance, may be a reference to the cultural significance of black in Cape Verdean history. Black is also the color of mourning, and the lyrics may suggest that Lola is mourning something or someone.
Moreover, the lyrics also make references to Cape Verdean history and culture such as "fazendas" (plantations) and "ratayus" (a type of bird often used as a symbol of Cape Verdean identity). Overall, the song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of Lola as a strong and independent woman, who is proud of her culture and heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
juro ami preto N'kana torkia ni nha ropas
I swear to my black people in Guinea-Bissau that my clothes are beautiful on my slow body
ku ta estan bonitos na nha curpu lento
They look beautiful on my slow body
cada leis de tempo antigo kana segan
Every law of ancient times is broken
con tudo abo ku ta cortan fazendas
Despite everything, they cut down the farms
con tudo abo ku ta cortan ratayus
Despite everything, they cut down the trees
Contributed by Sarah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.