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.

Um Pequeno Xote
Zé Ramalho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Toda pessoa merece felicidade
Uma vontade danada de bem viver
O mundo é bom quando se for entender
Que tudo vinga
Quando se pode querer
Deixe o fogo na metade

Deixe a cidade derreter

Que todo povo tem saudade

Minha vontade fica dentro de você

Overall Meaning

In Zé Ramalho's song Um Pequeno Xote, the lyrics express a universal desire for happiness and a longing to live well. The singer urges the listener to understand that the world is a good place, but one must have the desire to make things happen. The line "que tudo vinga quando se pode querer" translates to "everything comes to fruition when you can wish for it." The use of the word "fogo" or "fire" in the line "deixe o fogo na metade" can be interpreted as a metaphor for not being too intense, but allowing things to progress naturally.

The following lines "deixe a cidade derreter, que todo povo tem saudade" (let the city melt, for everyone longs for it) express a nostalgia for a simpler way of life. The final line "minha vontade fica dentro de você" (my desire remains inside of you) can mean that the desire for happiness and well-being will continue to drive the person.

Overall, the lyrics of Um Pequeno Xote convey a message of hope and encouragement to pursue what one desires while recognizing the value of simplicity and balance in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Toda pessoa merece felicidade
Everyone deserves happiness

Uma vontade danada de bem viver
A strong desire to live well

O mundo é bom quando se for entender
The world is good when we understand it

Que tudo vinga
That everything succeeds

Quando se pode querer
When we are able to want it

Deixe o fogo na metade
Leave the fire halfway

Deixe a cidade derreter
Let the city melt away

Que todo povo tem saudade
Because every nation longs for

Minha vontade fica dentro de você
My desire remains inside of you

Contributed by Brayden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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