In addition to Jobim's group, Paula Morelenbaum and her husband have been part of Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum with Antônio Carlos Jobim's son, Paulo Jobim, and grandson, Daniel Jobim. She has also been in the trio Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto with her husband and with Japanese composer and keyboardist 坂本龍一.
Berimbau
Paula Morelenbaum Lyrics
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O amor que lhe quer seu bem
Quem diz muito que vai, não vai
E assim como não vai, não vem
Quem de dentro de si não sai
Vai morrer sem amar ninguém
O dinheiro de quem não dá
É o trabalho de quem não tem
E se um dia ele cai, cai bem!
Berimbau
Capoeira me mandou
Dizer que já chegou
Chegou para lutar
Berimbau me confirmou
Vai ter briga de amor
Tristeza, camará
The lyrics of the Paula Morelenbaum's song Berimbau depict the cultural significance of love, loyalty, and integrity. The song begins with the assertion that a good man will not betray the love that is meant for him. The use of the word 'bem' which means 'good' or 'well' implies a sense of betterment and as such the interpretation is that a good man will not betray the love that is meant for him to improve his wellbeing. The next line is a warning to people who talk too much and make promises but do not fulfill them. The line "E assim como não vai, não vem" which means "And just as he does not go, he does not come" implies that these people cannot be trusted.
The following line touches on the importance of self-discovery and the need to cultivate inner love. To be able to love others, one should first understand who they are and be true to themselves. The line "Quem de dentro de si não sai vai morrer sem amar ninguém" translates to "Those who do not emerge from within themselves will die without loving anyone." The next line is a reference to the importance of giving. The money that is not given by one person enables another to work as their work will be to provide a product or service in exchange for money. Lastly, the song concludes with the line "Capoeira que é bom, não cai" which means "Good Capoeira does not fall." Here, Capoeira is used as a metaphor for life, and the line implies that a good life is one that is steady and does not fall.
Line by Line Meaning
Quem é homem de bem, não trai
A man of good character will not betray the love that loves him
O amor que lhe quer seu bem
The love that wishes him well
Quem diz muito que vai, não vai
He who talks much about doing something, usually doesn't do it
E assim como não vai, não vem
Just as he doesn't go, he doesn't come back
Quem de dentro de si não sai
He who doesn't come out of himself
Vai morrer sem amar ninguém
Will die without loving anyone
O dinheiro de quem não dá
The money of someone who doesn't give
É o trabalho de quem não tem
Is the work of someone who doesn't have
Capoeira que é bom, não cai
Good Capoeira does not fall
E se um dia ele cai, cai bem!
And if one day it falls, it falls well!
Capoeira me mandou
Capoeira told me
Dizer que já chegou
To say that it has already arrived
Chegou para lutar
Arrived to fight
Berimbau me confirmou
The Berimbau confirmed to me
Vai ter briga de amor
There will be a fight of love
Tristeza, camará
Sadness, my friend
Writer(s): Baden Powell, Words Vinicius de Moraes, Vinicius de Moraes, Music Baden Powell, Ray Gilbert Copyright: Ipanema Music Corp., Ipanema Music Ltd., Ipanema Music, Universal Music Publishing Mgb Spain S.A
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.