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.

Violão
Nana Caymmi Lyrics

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Um dia eu vi numa estrada
Um arvoredo caído
Não era um tronco qualquer

Era madeira de pinho
E um artesão esculpia
O corpo de uma mulher

Depois eu vi pela noite
O artesão nos caminhos
Colhendo raios de lua

Fazia cordas de prata
Que, se esticadas, vibravam
O corpo da mulher nua

E o artesão, finalmente
Nessa mulher de madeira
Botou o seu coração

E lhe apertou contra o peito
Deu-lhe um nome bonito
E assim nasceu o violão

E o artesão, finalmente
Nessa mulher de madeira
Botou o seu coração

E lhe apertou contra o peito

Deu-lhe um nome bonito
E assim nasceu o violão

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nana Caymmi's song "Violão" tell a poetic story about the creation of a guitar. The song begins with the singer describing a fallen grove of pine trees on the side of a road. Among the fallen trees, there was a particular piece of pine wood that caught the singer's attention because it was not just any log; it held potential for something more significant.

As the lyrics continue, the focus shifts to an artisan who is carving the body of a woman out of the pine wood. This imagery suggests that the artisan is using his skill and craftsmanship to transform the seemingly ordinary piece of wood into something beautiful and sensual, represented by the body of a woman.

The story takes a magical turn when the singer witnesses the artisan collecting moonbeams during the night. These moonbeams are then transformed into silver strings for the guitar. The idea of using moonlight to create strings adds a mystical and ethereal element to the song, emphasizing the idea that this guitar is something special and otherworldly.

In the final verse, the lyrics reveal that the artisan has finally finished creating the guitar. He places his heart inside the wooden woman, holding her against his chest with affection. He then gives her a beautiful name, and in that moment, the guitar is born. This ending emphasizes the deep emotional connection between the artisan and his creation, suggesting that the guitar is not just an instrument but also a cherished companion, symbolizing the love and passion poured into its creation.

Overall, the lyrics of "Violão" use vivid imagery and poetic language to depict the creation of a guitar as a deeply personal and loving process, highlighting the artisan's skill, creativity, and emotional attachment. The song celebrates the transformative power of art and crafts, as well as the emotional connection between an artist and their creation.

Line by Line Meaning

Um dia eu vi numa estrada
One day I saw on a road

Um arvoredo caído
A fallen grove

Não era um tronco qualquer
It wasn't just any trunk

Era madeira de pinho
It was pine wood

E um artesão esculpia
And a craftsman was sculpting

O corpo de uma mulher
The body of a woman

Depois eu vi pela noite
Later I saw through the night

O artesão nos caminhos
The craftsman on the paths

Colhendo raios de lua
Collecting moonbeams

Fazia cordas de prata
Making silver strings

Que, se esticadas, vibravam
That, when stretched, vibrated