Chico Buarque
Nicanor lyrics with English translation
- Language
- Portuguese
- Level
- Intermediate
- Released
- 1970
- Genre
- Bossa Nova, Samba
- Length
- 3:11
Onde andará Nicanor?
Where could Nicanor be?
Tinha mãos de jardineiro
He had gardener's hands
Quando tratava de amor
When it came to love
Há tanta moça na espera
So many girls waiting
Suas gentis primaveras
His gentle springs
Um desperdício de flor
A waste of flower
Onde andará Nicanor?
Where could Nicanor be?
Tinha amor pro porto inteiro
He had love for the entire harbor
Um peito de remador
A heart of an oarsman
Ah, quem me dera as morenas
Ah, how I wish for the brunettes
Pra consolar suas penas
To soothe your sorrows
Para abrandar seu calor
To ease your warmth
Olha elas sempre aflitas
Look at them always distressed
Bata o vento ou caia chuva
Whether the wind blows or the rain falls
Cada uma mais bonita
Each one more beautiful
E mais viúva
And more widowed
Todas elas fazem ninho
They all build a nest
Da saudade e da virtude
Of longing and virtue
Mas carinho
But affection
Queira Deus que Deus ajude
May God wish that God helps
Onde andará Nicanor?
Where could Nicanor be?
Tinha nó de marinheiro
He had a sailor's knot
Quando amarrava um amor
When tying up a love
Mas há recantos guardados
But there are hidden corners
Nos sete mares rasgados
In the seven torn seas
Sete pecados tão bons
Seven sins so sweet
Onde andará Nicanor?
Where could Nicanor be?
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
Key vocabulary
- andará
- will walk
- nicanor
- name
- mãos
- handsA2
- vento
- windA2
- viúva
- widowA2
- jardineiro
- gardenerB1
- tratava
- treated
- amor
- loveB2
- há
- there is
- tanta
- so muchA2
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About this song
Chico Buarque is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, poet, novelist, and playwright associated with samba, bossa nova, and MPB. He is known for intricate harmonic work and lyrics that often engage politics and culture, including foundational recordings such as Construção and Calabar.