Sempre Mangueira
Nelson Cavaquinho Lyrics


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Mangueira é celeiro
De bambas como eu
Portela também teve
O Paulo que morreu
Mas o sambista vive eternamente
No coração da gente
Mas o sambista vive eternamente
No coração da gente
Os versos de Mangueira são modestos
Mas há sempre força de expressão
Nossos barracos são castelos
Em nossa imaginação
Ôh, ôh, ôh, ôh!
Foi Mangueira quem chegou




Ôh, ôh, ôh, ôh!
Foi Mangueira quem chegou

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nelson Cavaquinho's song Sempre Mangueira celebrate the legacy and enduring spirit of the Mangueira samba school. Cavaquinho sings that Mangueira is a "celeiro," a fertile ground or storehouse, for samba "bambas" like himself. He acknowledges that other samba schools, like Portela, have also produced great musicians, as represented by the late Paulo who lives eternally in the hearts of the people. The verses of Mangueira may be modest, but they are always powerful in their expression. Cavaquinho then speaks to the imaginative power of the residents of Mangueira's favela community, where their simple homes are transformed into castles in their minds. The chorus, repeated twice, declares: "It was Mangueira who arrived."


Through these lyrics, Nelson Cavaquinho pays tribute to the rich cultural heritage and creative resilience of Mangueira, which is one of the oldest and most influential samba schools in Brazil. Since its founding in 1928, Mangueira has produced some of the most celebrated composers and performers in Brazilian music, including Cartola, Nelson Sargento, and Alcione. By representing the diverse stories and experiences of working-class communities in Rio de Janeiro, Mangueira has played a vital role in preserving and promoting the traditions of samba and Carnival.


Line by Line Meaning

Mangueira é celeiro
Mangueira is a fertile ground


De bambas como eu
For samba greats like me


Portela também teve
Portela also had


O Paulo que morreu
Paulo who died


Mas o sambista vive eternamente
But the sambista lives eternally


No coração da gente
In the heart of the people


Os versos de Mangueira são modestos
The verses of Mangueira are modest


Mas há sempre força de expressão
But there is always strength of expression


Nossos barracos são castelos
Our huts are castles


Em nossa imaginação
In our imagination


Ôh, ôh, ôh, ôh!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!


Foi Mangueira quem chegou
It was Mangueira who arrived




Contributed by Ethan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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