A tonga da mironga do kabulete.
Vinicius & Toquinho Lyrics

In the first stanza of the song, Vinicius de Moraes and Toquinho talk about their personality and how they do not conform to societal norms. They say they "caio de bossa" or "fall with style" and they are who they are. Even when they are feeling down in the dumps ("saio da fossa"), they still express themselves in a unique way by "xingando em nagô," or using language from the Yoruba people of West Africa. The Yoruba language and culture has been used in Brazilian music and religion for centuries, and is still very present in Brazilian culture today.

In the second stanza, the artists address their audience directly, calling out those who "ouvem e não falam" (listen but do not speak) and "olham e não veem" (look but do not see). They say they will give them a "pala" or a lesson, and they will have to learn "the tonga da mironga do kabuletê." The phrase "tonga da mironga" is an Afro-Brazilian expression meaning confusion or chaos, and "kabuletê" is a Brazilian street dance. The artists are essentially saying that they are going to teach their listeners how to live with and embrace the chaos and confusion of life, through music and dance.

In the final stanza, Vinicius de Moraes and Toquinho continue to address their audience, calling out those who are passive and do not take risks ("leem e não sabem", "rezam e não creem", "entram e não cabem"). They say they will curse them, and send them to "the tonga da mironga do kabuletê." The repetition of the chorus throughout the song emphasizes the importance of this concept of embracing chaos and living life to the fullest.