Rosa Morena
Kurt Elling Lyrics


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Rosa, Morena
Onde vais Morena Rosa?
Com essa rosa no cabelo
E esse andar de moça prosa
Morena, Morena Rosa

Oh Rosa, Morena
Onde vais Morena Rosa?
Com essa rosa no cabelo
E esse andar de moça prosa
Morena, Morena Rosa

Rosa Morena
O samba está esperando
Esperando prá te ver
Deixa de lado essa coisa de dengosa
Anda Rosa, vem me ver

Deixa de lado essa pose
Vem pro samba, vem sambar
Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar
Ô Rosa
Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar

Rosa, Morena!
Onde vais Morena Rosa?
Com essa rosa no cabelo
E esse andar de moça prosa
Morena, Morena Rosa

Rosa Morena
O samba está esperando
Esperando prá te ver
Deixa de lado
Essa coisa de dengosa
Anda Rosa, vem me ver

Deixa da lado essa pose
Vem pro samba, vem sambar
Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar
Ô Rosa!
Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar
Morena Rosa!
Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar




Viu Rosa!
Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kurt Elling's "Rosa Morena" are about a woman named Rosa who is being called out for her aloofness and being invited to come and let loose at a samba dance. The opening lines ask Rosa where she is going with a rose in her hair and a haughty walk. The repetition of "Morena" emphasises Rosa's brown skin and exotic beauty. The song then transitions into an invitation for Rosa to join the samba dance, with the music waiting and tired of waiting for her to come out of her shell. The lyrics ask Rosa to put aside her coyness and come dance, with the chorus repeating "Rosa, Morena" as a plea for her to come and join the party. The song essentially encourages Rosa to embrace her beauty and let loose at the samba dance, and stop being aloof and distant.


The song "Rosa Morena" was written by Dorival Caymmi, a Brazilian songwriter and musician who was known for his contributions to the Bossa Nova genre. The song was first recorded by Brazilian singer Francisco Alves in 1942 and has since been covered by various artists including João Gilberto and Caetano Veloso. Kurt Elling's version of the song was included on his 2003 album "Man In The Air". "Rosa Morena" has become a beloved Brazilian standard and is often played at samba dances and festivals.


Line by Line Meaning

Rosa Morena
Addressing a woman named Rosa who has a darker complexion


Onde vais Morena Rosa?
Asking Rosa where she is going


Com essa rosa no cabelo
Noticing the flower in her hair


E esse andar de moça prosa
Noticing her confident and poised walk


Deixa de lado essa pose
Encouraging her to drop her pretenses


Vem pro samba, vem sambar
Inviting Rosa to come dance the samba


Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar
Explaining that people are tired of waiting for her to join in the festivities


Ô Rosa!
Calling out to Rosa


O samba está esperando
Reminding Rosa that the samba is waiting for her


Esperando prá te ver
Eager to see her there


Essa coisa de dengosa
Referring to Rosa's coyness


Anda Rosa, vem me ver
Urging Rosa to come see the singer


Morena, Morena Rosa
Addressing Rosa again by her name and physical appearance


Que o pessoal 'tá cansado de esperar
Repeating that people are tired of waiting for Rosa's arrival


Viu Rosa!
Acknowledging Rosa's presence




Lyrics © ABRAMUS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dorival Sen Caymmi

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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