O Vento

©Doteval Caymmi

I first heard this song in the 1950s, on the West Coast, but didn't learn it until Larry Holland introduced me to the music of Brazilian singer and composer Doreval Caymmi. Thanks to Prof. Holland for this translation from the Brazilian Portuguese (Northeast dialect).

Gordon – Spanish guitar

Let us go and call the wind

Vamos, charmer o vento (2)

Wind that fills the sail

Vento que da na vela

Sail that lifts the boat

Vela que leva o barco

Boat that carries the man

Barco que leva a gentre

Man that hauls the fish

Gentre que leva o peixe

Fish that brings money

Peize que da dinheiro

Curriman ei, curriman lam bai

(a sound of sorrow)

Wind that fills the sail

Vento que da na vela

Sail that capsizes the boat

Vento que vira o barco

O Vento is recorded on the album Herrings in the Bay