Lamento de Um Nordestino

Only God knows how much a Northeasterner suffers
Who sees his childhood dream
Ending in thin air

He suffers when he has to leave
The whole family cries
But he can't stay anymore

He gets on the bus with a broken heart
He knows it will be painful
The world of disillusionment

He prays and asks our Lady
To guide his fate now
He entrusts his life into her hands

I know I'm going to São Paulo
But I'm leaving behind my source of joy
God, please give me work
And the hope of being able to return one day

He arrives in the big city and sees
How hard it is to succeed
He immediately starts to remember

He remembers the mother and father he left behind
The friends he left
Waiting for him to return

Happy is the one who finds a good job
Who saves a little money
To send back to the North

Sad is the other one for whom life is only suffering
He tries, tries, tries
But can't find work

I know I'm in São Paulo
But I left my source of joy there
God, please give me work
And the hope of being able to return one day

I'm in São Paulo
But I came here out of necessity
I know it's a good state
And many people do well

I work and I stay here
But I won't trade my Piauí
For nobody's land

Hello, Mom, hello, Dad, I'm doing well here
Send my regards to my love
And to anyone who asks about me

I'll send a little box with a gift
It's from Mr. Zé Vicente
From the Itapemirim company

I miss you, I want to leave
But I can't go now
Because I have to work

In June, I'll take my vacation
Wait for me there
Because I'll come visit you

I know I'm going to São Paulo
But I left my source of joy there
God, please, I only ask you
For the freedom to be able to return one day