Daughter of musicians Dorival Caymmi and Stella Maris, and sibling of Danil… Read Full Bio ↴Daughter of musicians Dorival Caymmi and Stella Maris, and sibling of Danilo and Dori Caymmi, Nana was raised in one of the most musical families in Brazil. Nana started singing at an early age and adopted a singular technique which enhanced her low pitch voice. In 1961 she recorded her father's song "Acalanto", and then moved with her husband to Venezuela, an withdrawing from the music bizz for that period. Back in Brazil, Nana released her first album "Nana", for the record label Elenco, which belonged to the music producer Aloysio de Oliveira. In 1966, Nana performed the song "Saveiros" (Dori Caymmi/ Nelson Motta) at the First International Song Festival and was placed first. She has also worked abroad with Sarah Vaughan and Sergio Mendes.

Cantiga
Nana Caymmi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sabe amor
Eu te amo tanto, tanto
Que esta minha vida
Sem você, seria para sempre, triste

E eu nem sei se existe, vida assim
Que alguém possa viver
Meu bem eu te amo tanto...

Que vou te dizer
Daria a minha vida, pra não te perder

Sabe amor
Eu te amo tanto, tanto
Que esta minha vida
Sem você, seria para sempre, triste

E eu nem sei se existe, vida assim
Que alguém possa viver
Meu bem eu te amo tanto...

Que vou te dizer
Daria a minha vida, pra não te perder

Overall Meaning

In Nana Caymmi's song Cantiga, the lyrics express a deep and intense love for the person that the singer is addressing. The singer professes their love by saying that they love the person so much that their life would be forever sad without them in it. The singer then goes on to say that they don't even know if there can be such a life that someone could live without the person they love. The singer's love is so powerful that they are willing to give their life to never lose the person they love.

The lyrics are simple yet impactful, as they express an intense devotion and commitment to the person the singer loves. The repetition of "Eu te amo tanto" (I love you so much) emphasizes the depth of their feelings, while the statement "Daria a minha vida, pra não te perder" (I would give my life, to not lose you) shows the singer's willingness to do whatever it takes to keep their loved one by their side. The song's melody is also melancholic and beautiful, adding to the emotion conveyed in the lyrics.

Overall, Cantiga is a beautiful expression of love and devotion that anyone who has felt deeply for someone can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

Sabe amor
Oh, my love

Eu te amo tanto, tanto
I love you so much, so much

Que esta minha vida
That my life

Sem você, seria para sempre, triste
Without you, would forever be sad

E eu nem sei se existe, vida assim
And I don't even know if there is life like this

Que alguém possa viver
That someone can live

Meu bem eu te amo tanto...
My dear I love you so much...

Que vou te dizer
That I will tell you

Daria a minha vida, pra não te perder
I would give my life, not to lose you

Writer(s): Gilberto Gil

Contributed by Christopher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.