Sorrir e Cantar como Bahia
Novos Baianos Lyrics

The lyrics to Novos Baianos's song Sorrir e Cantar como Bahia explore the metaphor of a mother being like the sea. The repeated line "Mãe é mar" emphasizes this idea and suggests that, just as the sea is vast and expansive, so too is a mother's love and influence. The following lines, "Mares ñ maré, água e terra," contrast the sea with other bodies of water and land, perhaps suggesting that a mother's love is unique and can't be compared to other relationships or experiences.

The song then shifts to an exploration of life and death, using the metaphor of a tree with branches to break. The fallen leaves and dry branches become fuel for the fire that cooks in the world's big pot. Here, the the world's "big pot" could be interpreted as the cycle of life, where death is necessary for new growth and renewal.

The next set of lyrics, "Mas mar é mar / Correndo tranquilo pela terra / como o som, das águas dizendo / Que mãe só ñ pode entrar nessa, / muito pelo contrário . / É sofrer e chorar como MARIA / Sorrir e cantar como BAHIA!", reinforce the idea that a mother's love is powerful and all-encompassing but it cannot enter everything or protect us from everything. The mention of Mary, the mother of Jesus, adds a religious dimension to the song and suggests that even the most holy of mothers must suffer and cry. However, the song ends on a more positive note, encouraging listeners to "Sorrir e cantar como BAHIA" - to smile and sing like the Brazilian state known for its vibrant culture and music. The final repetition of "E até pode ser baby também" (and she can even be a baby too) seems to suggest that a mother's love is not limited by age or time.