Translation of “Canto de Ossanha”, by Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes
Ossanha is an spiritual entity, one of the Orixás worshipped in african and afro/Brazilian religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda. Ossanha is the Orixá responsible for the ritual and medicinal leaves and plants. The music tells about a very common use in Brazil, the witchcraft for love. In my city, Brasilia, you can easily see advertising offering such services. Thoug its efficiency is questionable, many people use it.
advertising offering every kind of sorcery, in a street of brazil
“Father Ambrosio”
“Solve your amorous and professional problems
Heal any kind of disease (even homossexuality) (…)”
The idea of this post came from some guys in youtube asking for a translation. For first, I tried to post it as a comment, but it was too long. Here it is… I hope it helps you.
Deaaá! Deerê! Deaaa!
The man who says “I give”
Don’t give
‘cause those who really give
Don’t tell
The man who says “I go”
Don’t go
‘cause when he went
He didn’t really wanted to
The man who says “I am”
Is not
‘cause those who really are say
I’m not
The man who says I’m there
Is not
‘cause nobody’s there
When they want
Pitiful is the man who falls
At the Ossanha’s chant
Traitor!
Pitiful is the man who looks for
Witchcraft of love
Go! Go! Go! Go!
I’ll not go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
I’ll not go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
I’ll not go!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
I’ll not go…
‘cause I’m nobody of going
Into talkin’ about forget
The sadness of a love
which’s gone
No!
I’m just going if it’s to watch
A star rising
In the morning of a new love
Friend “sinhô”
Saravá
Xangô told me to tell you
If it is Ossanha’s chant
Don’t go!
‘cause you’re going to regret very much
Ask your Orixá
Love’s only good when it hurts
Ask your Orixá
Love’s only good when it hurts…
(Orixá, also spelled “Orisha” is a kind of spiritual entity in the afro-brazilian religions such as Candomblé. Both “Xangô” and “Ossanha”, refered in the song are names of some orixás)
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Loving
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Suffering!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Crying!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Tell…
(in old-fashioned Portuguese, this last verse means something that would be translated like “Who Knows…”)
‘cause I’m nobody of going
Into talkin’ about forget
The sadness of a love
which’s gone
No!
I’m just going if it’s to watch
A star rising
In the morning of a new love
Friend “sinhô”
Saravá
(sinhô is an old-fashioned rural portuguese form that would be translated for something like “sir”. Saravá is a greeting used in some regions of Brazil wich have strong african influence, like the region of Bahia. It is a word with african origin)
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Loving
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Suffering!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Crying!
Go! Go! Go! Go!
Tell…
28/01/2011 às 22:28
Very useful translation. Beautiful lyrics by Vinicius. Thank you!
17/02/2011 às 18:17
our intent was to spread afro/brazilian culture. We’re sory for any eventual mistake in our english writting.
28/02/2011 às 7:23
Merci beaucoup pour cette traduction ; )
08/03/2011 às 8:39
thanks a lot!!!
excellent work.
the ad is wonderful.
23/04/2011 às 13:48
I’ve been wondering what this song is all about. Terima kasih. Muito obrigada ^_^
20/06/2011 às 1:36
bom demais
27/07/2011 às 10:19
Muito obrigado… sou americano que fala português mas isso foi dificil entender. Tenho estado ouvindo a versão da música que fez Rosalia de Souza, que também é boa. Mas bom ouvir a música original. Obrigado novamente pela tradução.
09/09/2011 às 16:44
I was introduced to this song by a recdording of Caterina Valente. The song has been haunting me ever since. Been looking for a translation for a long time. Obrigado! At last here it is.Hope the lyrics will sink in and start to make sense…
23/11/2011 às 17:45
Thank you so much for the translation! It is so useful to have it.
I knew this song,because is a very known one and for me the music was a little bit to common-sorry-.But few days before,in an important moment in my life,I have heard to song and descovering its name I wanted very much to understand the lyrics.Since,I am fascinated by the profound meaning of it.And there are some lines that I want to be sure of their sense:”que eu nao sou ninguem de ir em conversa de esquecer a tristeza de um amor que passou”-speaking french,italian and romanian,I feel that maybe it should be:I am not the one to go to talk about forgeting the sadness of a love which is gone”?It could be?
Gabi
03/03/2012 às 14:36
The most accurate translation is “I’m nobody of going into talk of forgetting”, that’s like “I’m nobody who goes into talk of forgetting” or, for the best understanding, “I’m not the kind of person who buys the chitchat of forgetting”.
06/12/2011 às 21:51
More Vinicius de Moraes here:
http://easyjams.blogspot.com/2011/12/brasil-maior-vol-1-various-artists-1980.html
06/01/2012 às 15:03
Thanks a lot for this translation and comments!
03/03/2012 às 2:49
Actually, “sinhô” is the provincial form of “senhor”, which is “sir”. Also, here in Brazil, “Senhor” is our version of “Lord”, referring to God. If somebody seeks for accuracy I can mail my own translation. I also reccomend Maysa’s softer version.
27/04/2012 às 2:26
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