Xangai, also known by his real name Eugênio Avelino, is a artist from Brazi… Read Full Bio ↴Xangai, also known by his real name Eugênio Avelino, is a artist from Brazil who write and sings traditional northeastern songs, many of them related to "sertão", an interior countryside part of Brasil, known for its dryness and harsh conditions of living. He is a native from the Bahia state in Brazil.

Xangai is gifted with a great voice and often teams with Elomar in song-writing and performance as in the
Xangai Canta Cantigas, Incelenças, Puluxias e Tiranas de Elomar album.

Many Xangai records have been released by the Kuarup label (in Brazil).

Qué qui tu tem canário?
Xangai Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Canarinho da terra
Canarinho do rio
Canarinho da terra
Canarinho do rio
Canarinho da Bahia
Canarinho da Bahia

Qué, qué qui tu tem canário

Qué, qué qui tu tem canário
Qué, que quando canta arrepia
Qué, que quando canta arrepia

Sabiá da mata
Sabi, sabiá congá
Eu disse sabi, sabiá da mata
Sabiá congá
Sabi, sabiá da praia
Sabi, sabiá da praia

Qué, que que tu tem na asa
Qué que tu tem na asa
Qué, quando disser não caia
Qué, quando disser não caia

Meu curió do brejo
Meu sofrer sem dor
Meu curió do brejo
Meu sofrer sem dor
E minha lavandeira
E minha lavandeira

Qué, que que tu tem jandaia
Qué, que que tu tem jandaia
Qué, que avoa tão ligeira
Qué, que avoa tão ligeira

Gavião peneira
Gavião penacho
Gavião peneira
Gavião penacho
Pato da lagoa
Pato da lagoa

Qué, que que tu vê na água
Qué, que que tu vê na água
Qué, que tanto te magoa
Qué, que tanto te magoa

Minha zabelê
Minhas andorinhas
Minha zabelê
Minhas andorinhas
Oh meu canarinho
Oh meu canarinho

Qué, que que tu tem bichinho
Qué, que cisca miudinho
Qué, que canta curridinho
Qué, que 'avoa tão baixinho

Qué, que não voltou pro ninho
Qué, que não voltou pro ninho

Qué, que não voltou pro ninho
Qué, qué qui tu tem canário

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Xangai’s “Qué Qui Tu Tem Canário?” pay tribute to various birds found in Brazil. Each verse mentions a different bird and poses a question about its character or behavior. The first two verses are dedicated to the canarinho, a small yellow bird known for its melodic song. The repeated refrain, “Qué, qué qui tu tem canário,” translates to “What do you have, canary?” and is directed at the bird’s ability to evoke strong emotions with its song. The verse about the sabiá, another songbird, asks what’s on its wings and warns listeners not to fall when it says “no.” The third verse is about the curió, a bird that sings without suffering, and the lavandeira, which may be a reference to the migratory riverside swallow. The fourth verse highlights the jandaia, a species of parrot that flies swiftly and is known to mimic human speech. Finally, the song mentions the gavião, or hawk, and the pato, duck, and asks what upsets them about the water. The final stanza returns to the canarinho, asking why it hasn’t returned to the nest.

The song celebrates Brazil’s abundant wildlife and its ability to inspire wonder and awe. At the same time, it uses these birds as metaphors for human emotions, offering a nuanced commentary on life and love. The simple melody and repetition of the chorus make the song catchy and easy to sing along to, while the poetic language and double meanings of the lyrics reveal deeper layers of meaning upon closer examination.

Line by Line Meaning

Canarinho da terra
A small bird from the land

Canarinho do rio
A small bird from the river

Canarinho da Bahia
A small bird from Bahia

Qué, qué qui tu tem canário
What is it about you, little canary?

Qué, que quando canta arrepia
When you sing, it gives me chills

Sabiá da mata
A thrush from the forest

Sabi, sabiá congá
Thrush, the one from the jungle

Sabi, sabiá da praia
Thrush, the one from the beach

Qué, que que tu tem na asa
What do you have on your wings?

Qué, quando disser não caia
Don't fall when I tell you to stop

Meu curió do brejo
My swamp finch