Quarteto em Cy (Quartet in Cy) is a MPB Brazilian vocal quartet originally … Read Full Bio ↴Quarteto em Cy (Quartet in Cy) is a MPB Brazilian vocal quartet originally composed of four sisters hailing from Ibirataia, a town located in the Brazilian state of Bahia: Cybele, Cylene, Cynara and Cyva – their real first names. The group name was given by poet and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes (a joke about the fact that the first names of the four sisters begin with "Cy"). They're considered the greatest Brazilian female vocal quartet, in addition to being the oldest.

Noted for the extraordinary precision of the vocalists' intonation and delivery, the quartet performed and recorded with almost every single major Brazilian artist of the '60s and '70s; their popularity exceeded and still exceeds the borders of their native country. They met with great success in America in the mid-sixties, and have a considerable following in Japan, where they still tour regularly.

They started performing in 1959, appearing on local television in that year. Cyva, the leader of the group, then moved to Rio de Janeiro, and persuaded her three sisters to join her there. They then started to make regular appearances in the boates (small nightclubs) of Rio, particularly Bottle's bar and the legendary Zum-Zum, where they caught the attention of Vinicius de Moraes and other prominent figures of the bossa nova scene. Their first album was released in 1964, and was to be followed by regular releases up to the late '90s, at the frequency of one a year, and sometimes more.

In the late 1960s, the group achieved international success under the title The Girls from Bahia, having undergone changes in its original composition. The first modification happened in 1966, when the youngest sister, Cylene, left the group to marry, getting replaced by Regina Werneck. Later, sisters Cynara and Cybele left the group to form a brief succesful duo that won, in 1968, the III Festival Internacional da Canção. Both got replaced by Sonia Ferreira and Semíramis Rubim, remaining only Cyva from the original formation, but despite the success of the duo, Cynara decided to rejoin the Quartet in the place of Semíramis. After a brief hiatus, the group resumed its activities in 1972 with the singers Cyva, Cynara, Sonia, and recently added member Dorinha Tapajós (replacing Regina). In 1980 Dorinha left for health reasons and was replaced by Cybele, who remained in the group until 2013 and was replaced by Keyla Fogaça, by her own indication. On 21 August 2014, at the age of 74, Cybele died of a lung ischemia at her home in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, after periods of work, Sonia and Keyla left the quartet, adding Corina Viana into the group.

The group's voices have transited through notable Brazilian music composers such as Vinícius de Moraes, Toquinho, Dorival Caymmi, Chico Buarque, Tom Jobim and many others. Their phonographic recordings have been released on more than 30 records - both in Brazil and abroad. With a solid and unwavering career for fifty years, Quarteto em Cy remains one of the most remarkable and expressive vocal groups in the history of MPB.

Canto de Ossanha
Quarteto Em Cy Lyrics

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O canto da mais difícil
E mais misteriosa das deusas
Do candomblé baiano
Aquela que sabe tudo
Sobre as ervas
Sobre a alquimia do amor"

Deaaá! Deeerê! Deaaá!

O homem que diz "dou"
Não dá!
Porque quem dá mesmo
Não diz!
O homem que diz "vou"
Não vai!
Porque quando foi
Já não quis!
O homem que diz "sou"
Não é!
Porque quem é mesmo "é"
Não sou!
O homem que diz "tou"
Não tá
Porque ninguém tá
Quando quer
Coitado do homem que cai
No canto de Ossanha
Traidor!
Coitado do homem que vai
Atrás de mandinga de amor

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Não Vou!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Não Vou!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Não Vou!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Não Vou!

Que eu não sou ninguém de ir
Em conversa de esquecer
A tristeza de um amor
Que passou
Não!
Eu só vou se for prá ver
Uma estrela aparecer
Na manhã de um novo amor

Amigo sinhô
Saravá
Xangô me mandou lhe dizer
Se é canto de Ossanha
Não vá!
Que muito vai se arrepender
Pergunte pr'o seu Orixá
O amor só é bom se doer
Pergunte pr'o seu Orixá
O amor só é bom se doer

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Amar!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Sofrer!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Chorar!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Dizer!

Que eu não sou ninguém de ir
Em conversa de esquecer
A tristeza de um amor
Que passou
Não!
Eu só vou se for prá ver
Uma estrela aparecer
Na manhã de um novo amor

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Amar!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Sofrer!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Chorar!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Dizer!

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Amar!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Sofrer!
Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Chorar!

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
Dizer!

Overall Meaning

The song "Canto de Ossanha" by Quarteto Em Cy is an ode to the difficult, mysterious goddess of the Candomblé religion in Bahia, who possesses knowledge of herbs and the alchemy of love. The lyrics warn against the dangers of chasing after love through spells and magic, proclaiming that true love only comes with pain and sacrifice. The verses caution against those who talk about giving or doing things, claiming that those who truly give or do do not need to speak about it. Similarly, those who promise to go somewhere or be something are often not trustworthy, as they may change their minds at any moment. The song encourages listeners to seek out a new love if they must, but only if it comes in the form of a true natural sign or omen, such as a star appearing in the morning.

The repetition of the phrase "Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!" throughout the song serves as a persistent reminder to keep moving forward, regardless of the pain and challenges that may arise. The lyrics also incorporate themes of African spirituality, featuring references to Xangô, a deity associated with justice and lightning in the Candomblé religion. The song ultimately delivers a message of acceptance and perseverance in the face of difficult or even impossible love, while honoring and respecting the traditions and beliefs of the Candomblé religion.

Line by Line Meaning

O canto da mais difícil E mais misteriosa das deusas Do candomblé baiano Aquela que sabe tudo Sobre as ervas Sobre a alquimia do amor"
This is a song about the most difficult and mysterious goddess of the Candomblé religion in Bahia, Brazil. She is known for her vast knowledge of herbs and the alchemy of love.

O homem que diz "dou" Não dá! Porque quem dá mesmo Não diz!
A man who says he will give something usually doesn’t follow through. True givers don’t need to announce it.

O homem que diz "vou" Não vai! Porque quando foi Já não quis!
A man who says he will go somewhere often doesn't actually want to go. If he truly wanted to go, he would have already gone.

O homem que diz "sou" Não é! Porque quem é mesmo "é" Não sou!
A man who says he is something often isn't truly that thing. The ones who truly are something don't need to announce it.

O homem que diz "tou" Não tá Porque ninguém tá Quando quer
A man who says he is doing something may not actually be doing it because it's common for people to not follow through with their plans.

Coitado do homem que cai No canto de Ossanha Traidor! Coitado do homem que vai Atrás de mandinga de amor
It's a pity for a man who falls for the spell of Ossanha and becomes a traitor to his heart. It's also a pity for a man who seeks out the magic of love because it will only bring him pain.

Que eu não sou ninguém de ir Em conversa de esquecer A tristeza de um amor Que passou Não! Eu só vou se for prá ver Uma estrela aparecer Na manhã de um novo amor
The singer isn't one to get caught up in forgetting the sadness of a past love. They will only go if they can witness the appearance of a new love.

Amigo sinhô Saravá Xangô me mandou lhe dizer Se é canto de Ossanha Não vá! Que muito vai se arrepender Pergunte pr'o seu Orixá O amor só é bom se doer
The artist's friend received a warning from the god Xangô, advising them not to fall for the spell of Ossanha. It will only bring regret. They should seek guidance from their own deity and they will learn that love can only be truly fulfilling if it comes with pain

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai! Amar! Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai! Sofrer! Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai! Chorar! Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai! Dizer!
The chorus repeats a message about the cycle of love: It involves loving, suffering, crying, and expressing your feelings.

Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Marcus Vinicius Da Cruz De M. Moraes, Baden Powell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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