He spent his youth in Ubatuba, in the state of São Paulo until the age of 14 when he left for Taubaté, where he lived until the age of 24. At the beginning of the 1960s he worked as a DJ at Rádio Difusora in Taubaté, where he discovered Sertaneja music by way of Teodoro Israel, a nightclub DJ. In 1967 he moved to São Paulo, where, at the Patachou bar he shared tables with such contemporaries as Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa and Geraldo Vandré.
More recently he wrote the song Rapaz Caipira (country boy) as criticism of the current mass-produced commercialized Sertaneja music, iniciating a rebirth of the term música caipira--loosely translated as hillbilly music (in a pejorative sense) music of the country folks. He is a defender of the música raiz (roots music), caipira, which is still around despite the changing face of Sertaneja music.
Vira
Renato Teixeira Lyrics
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Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Lá do além-mar vem o sanfoneiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Bebe vinho e come bacalhau
E na hora de tocar, toca o tirulirulá
Bebe vinho e come bacalhau
E na hora de tocar, toca o tirulirulá
É o tiruliruli, é o tirulirulá
É o tiruliruli
De Minas Gerais vem o violeiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
De Minas Gerais vem o violeiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Bebe pinga e come pão de queijo
E na hora de tocar, é só no uai-uai
Bebe pinga e come pão de queijo
E na hora de tocar, vai só no uai-uai
De Nashville vem o rabequeiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Bebe uísque e bate o pé no chão
E chama o banjo e o violão
Leiro, leiro
Leiro, leiro
É o tiruliruli
É o tirulirulá
Lá do Norte vem o violeiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Lá do Norte vem o violeiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Come rapadura, rala o guaraná
E na hora de tocar, faz o povo arrevirar
Come rapadura, rala o guaraná
E na hora de tocar, faz o povo arrevirar
Leiro, leiro
É o tiruliruli é o tirulirulá
É o tiruliruli
Do Rio Grande vem o sanfoneiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Do Rio Grande vem o sanfoneiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Come carne e toma chimarrão
E na hora de tocar, só xote e vanerão
Come carne e toma chimarrão
E na hora de tocar, só xote e vanerão
E da fronteira vem o violeiro
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
Come carreteiro, e toma tereré
E tome toque e chama mé
É o tiruliruli, é o tirulirulá
É o tiruliruli oh oh é o tiruliruli
É o tiruliruli, é o tirulirulá
The lyrics of Renato Teixeira's song "Vira" celebrate the diverse musical traditions of different regions. The song portrays a festive atmosphere where musicians from different parts of the world gather to play at a traditional Brazilian "arraial" (rural party). Each verse introduces a musician from a specific place, highlighting their unique characteristics and cultural traits.
The first verse introduces a "sanfoneiro" (accordion player) from beyond the sea who enjoys wine and codfish. When it's time to play, he brings joy with his energetic melodies. The second verse mentions a "violeiro" (violin player) from Minas Gerais who embraces the local culture by drinking "pinga" (a strong alcoholic beverage) and indulging in "pão de queijo" (a delicious cheese bread). When he plays, he executes the distinctive "uai-uai" rhythm associated with Minas Gerais. The third verse talks about a "rabequeiro" (a player of the "rabeca," a traditional fiddle) from Nashville who enjoys whiskey and stomping his foot on the ground while playing alongside the banjo and guitar. The fourth verse portrays a "violeiro" from the North who consumes "rapadura" (a sweet made from sugarcane) and prepares "guaraná" (a traditional soda). His performance delights the audience, making them dance with excitement. Finally, the song mentions a "sanfoneiro" from Rio Grande who consumes meat and drinks "chimarrão" (a traditional South American herbal tea). His repertoire consists mainly of "xote" and "vanerão" (rhythms associated with the region). The chorus repeats the "tirulirulá" melody, celebrating the joyful and universal language of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Lá do além-mar vem o sanfoneiro
The accordion player comes from overseas
Vem pra tocar no arraiá
He comes to play at the party
Bebe vinho e come bacalhau
He drinks wine and eats codfish
E na hora de tocar, toca o tirulirulá
And when it's time to play, he plays the tune
De Minas Gerais vem o violeiro
The guitar player comes from Minas Gerais
Bebe pinga e come pão de queijo
He drinks cachaça and eats cheese bread
E na hora de tocar, é só no uai-uai
And when it's time to play, he plays the 'uai-uai' tune
De Nashville vem o rabequeiro
The fiddler comes from Nashville
Bebe uísque e bate o pé no chão
He drinks whiskey and taps his foot on the ground
E chama o banjo e o violão
And he calls for the banjo and the guitar
Lá do Norte vem o violeiro
The guitar player comes from the North
Come rapadura, rala o guaraná
He eats rapadura and grinds guaraná
E na hora de tocar, faz o povo arrevirar
And when it's time to play, he makes the people dance wildly
Do Rio Grande vem o sanfoneiro
The accordion player comes from Rio Grande
Come carne e toma chimarrão
He eats meat and drinks yerba mate tea
E na hora de tocar, só xote e vanerão
And when it's time to play, it's all about xote and vanerão
E da fronteira vem o violeiro
The guitar player comes from the border
Come carreteiro, e toma tereré
He eats carreteiro and drinks tereré
E tome toque e chama mé
And he plays with rhythm and calls for the 'mé'
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Almir Sater, Renato Teixeira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind