Zé Ramalho (born José Ramalho Neto in Brejo do Cruz, Paraíba, Brazil, Octob… Read Full Bio ↴Zé Ramalho (born José Ramalho Neto in Brejo do Cruz, Paraíba, Brazil, October 03, 1949) is a Brazilian singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. Zé Ramalho is also the first cousin of Elba Ramalho, a well known Brazilian singer and performer.

As with many musicians back in his younger days, he was first influenced by rock and roll; however, at the age of 20, his music took a more Northeastern Brazilian approach (forro, folk). Zé Ramalho's lyrics however, are very influenced by the socio-economic difficulties faced by the average Brazilian.

In 1975, he recorded his first album, Paêbirú along with Lula Côrtes through the label Rozenblit. Today the copies from this very rare vinyl are highly-priced in the international collector's market.

Rato do Porto
Zé Ramalho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Se depois que essa transa acabar
Você ainda me chamar de bicho muito louco
Com essas calças de pescador
Os olhos presos em minha boca
Eu posso até ser um rato do porto
E deixar o navio

Sendo assim, eu vou ter que chamar

Você de minha linda, louca, menina vadia
Com essa pele desbotada
Unhas ferradas em minha roupa
Eu posso até ser o rei e você a rainha
Desse imenso mar

Só peço desculpas
Por parecer tão vadio
Algo assim como um ladrão
Meu rato, meu queijo, meu porão
Mas você também
Deve ser mais coerente
Me cante, não conte
Não tente me enganar
Me cante, não conte

Não tente me enganar
Me cante, não conte . . .

Overall Meaning

In Zé Ramalho's song Rato do Porto, he talks about a sexual encounter with a woman, who he refers to as a "linda, louca, menina vadia" (beautiful, crazy, slutty girl). He refers to himself as a "rato do porto" (rat of the port), someone who is not to be trusted and is always up to no good. Ramalho acknowledges that he may appear like a thief, with his disheveled appearance, but he also expects the woman to be honest with him and not try to deceive him.

The lyrics suggest a sense of detachment and cynicism towards the sexual encounter, with Ramalho acknowledging that it may be temporary and not lead to anything deeper. He seems to be unapologetic about his behavior and lifestyle, expressing a desire for authenticity and honesty from his partner.

Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of unbridled sexuality and a search for authenticity, while also acknowledging the unpredictable and transitory nature of sexual encounters.

Line by Line Meaning

Se depois que essa transa acabar
If after this encounter is over

Você ainda me chamar de bicho muito louco
You still call me a crazy animal

Com essas calças de pescador
Wearing these fisherman pants

Os olhos presos em minha boca
Eyes fixed on my mouth

Eu posso até ser um rato do porto
I might as well be a port rat

E deixar o navio
And leave the ship behind

Sendo assim, eu vou ter que chamar
Therefore, I will have to call

Você de minha linda, louca, menina vadia
You my beautiful, crazy, slutty girl

Com essa pele desbotada
With that faded skin

Unhas ferradas em minha roupa
Nails embedded in my clothes

Eu posso até ser o rei e você a rainha
I can be the king, and you can be the queen