Gabriela, Cravo e Canela

It was in Bahia
In the city of Ilhéus
That a group of countrymen emerged
Fleeing from the drought of the backlands
Gabriela was among them
Ragged with a bundle in hand
And the dust hiding
All her charm and seduction
Nacib, when he hired her, didn't expect
That she would be so beautiful
And the country girl refugee
Had hands so divine and skillful
In the tasty Bahian delicacies
Nacib exclaimed at the beauty he saw

So beautiful, oh so beautiful
The smell of clove and the color of cinnamon

He fell in love
And married her
Gabriela, a poor girl from the backlands
Liked circle songs
And dancing with her feet on the ground
She celebrated New Year's
In the richest salon of Ilhéus
When the Pastorinha passed by
Celebrating the Reisado singing
Gabriela abandoned luxury and wealth
She ran out, grabbed the banner and started jumping
All those important people
Went to the street to celebrate with her
Once again the mulatto
Showing her worth
United poor and rich
With the strength of love
The whole city of Ilhéus
Talked about Gabriela's idyll
But Nacib understood
That she was a flower
Born to adorn life
With pleasures and love