Canto De Ossanha
Toquinho & Vinicius de Moraes Lyrics

O canto da mais difícil
This is the song of the most difficult goddess, who is also the most mysterious, in the Bahian candomblé religion.

E mais misteriosa das deusas
This goddess is the most enigmatic and puzzling of all the goddesses in this religion.

Do candomblé baiano
This is a song from the Bahian candomblé religion.

Aquela que sabe tudo
This goddess knows everything about the herbs and the alchemy of love.

Sobre as ervas
She knows everything about the properties and uses of the herbs.

Sobre a alquimia do amor
She knows how to create and transform love.

Deaaá! Deeerê! Deaaá!
This is the rhythm of the song, which is cheerful and upbeat.

O homem que diz "dou"
The man who says he gives actually does not give.

Não dá!
He is lying or insincere.

Porque quem dá mesmo
The person who truly gives

Não diz!
does not brag about it.

O homem que diz "vou"
The man who promises to go or do something, but changes his mind, does not actually go or do it.

Não vai!
He goes back on his word and does not follow through.

Porque quando foi
When it was time to follow through on his promise

Já não quis!
He decided not to do it anymore.

O homem que diz "sou"
The man who claims to be something he is not, is actually not that thing.

Não é!
He is lying about his identity or qualities.

Porque quem é mesmo "é"
The person who truly is something, does not need to state it.

Não sou!
The man who claims to be something he is not, is actually not that thing.

O homem que diz "tou"
The man who says he is somewhere, might not actually be there.

Não tá
He might be lying or absent.

Porque ninguém tá
Nobody is really there or present.

Quando quer
When someone wants or needs to be present.

Coitado do homem que cai
Pity the man who falls prey to the spell and influence of the song of Ossanha.

No canto de Ossanha
In the enchanting melody and rhythm of this song.

Traidor!
He will betray someone or something important to him.

Coitado do homem que vai
Pity the man who goes looking for love potions and magic spells.

Atrás de mandinga de amor
He is looking for something that cannot be forced or controlled by a spell.

Vai! Vai! Vai! Vai!
This is another part of the cheerful and upbeat rhythm of the song.

Não Vou!
I'm not going to do something that will cause me pain or regret in the end.

Que eu não sou ninguém de ir
I am not the kind of person who forgets the sadness of lost love by seeking something else I know will hurt me.

Em conversa de esquecer
By pretending to forget or moving on to something new.

A tristeza de um amor
The sorrow and pain of a love that ended.

Que passou
That is gone.

Eu só vou se for prá ver
I will only go if I see something special or extraordinary.

Uma estrela aparecer
Like a star appearing in the sky, a symbol of hope and happiness.

Na manhã de um novo amor
In the dawn of a new and genuine love, not a love potion or spell.

Amigo sinhô
Dear friend.

Saravá
A greeting, usually associated with the Bahian candomblé religion.

Xangô me mandou lhe dizer
Xangô, a god or spirit in the Bahian candomblé religion, sent me to tell you.

Se é canto de Ossanha
If this is the song of Ossanha.

Não vá!
Don't follow its alluring and illusory promises.

Que muito vai se arrepender
You will regret it greatly.

Pergunte pr'o seu Orixá
Ask your own deity or god for guidance and wisdom.

O amor só é bom se doer
True love is only worthwhile if it involves pain and sacrifice.

Amar!
Love!

Sofrer!
Suffering!

Chorar!
Crying!

Dizer!
Saying!