Cantão

The folks from the hill know about it
Today there's a party at Pequeno's house
That little kid who's always in Cantão
People are saying he lives in a big mansion
Yeah, the crowd always grows
But the cachanga is reliable, at 550
There's a deck, a pool, you wouldn't imagine
That Pequeno lives there
- Yeah, the guy is cool
He walks down to Cantão every day
Along with a little black kid named Janjão
Sometimes with Nem, sometimes with Baya
Sometimes alone but always at the beach
He arrives alone and everyone already knows him
He arrives early and only leaves when it gets dark
Grabs his skateboard and goes straight to the favela
To ride the half-pipe at the S curve
Yeah, he doesn't seem like he's from a wealthy family
Appearance can sometimes be deceiving
But money, in this case, doesn't make a difference
On the contrary, money is the least of it
The favela folks will make a presence
Today is Pequeno's birthday

I'm from Cantão!
And there's no stopping there
Everyone is a brother, everyone is a buddy
I'm from Cantão!
And there's no messing around
Everyone is a worker, everyone is a doctor
I'm from Cantão!
And there's no wrong turn
A handshake is worth more than an allowance
I'm from Cantão!
And there's no terror
Friendship has no class or color

He lives right in front of the sea, man, but it's close to the hill, people walk there
To enter the condominium there's even security
But it didn't stop anyone!
Let's go to the big party!
Look at all the beautiful things!
- Pequeno!
- Hold on, don't shout, man!
- He lives in that house full of people
And full of fancy cars parked out front
Everyone's fancy, in formal clothes
And us looking all laid-back, might not look good
- It's better to leave so we don't embarrass ourselves
This is a rich people's party
Not for us
- What's up, Chiquinho? That's not it!
When there's a party in the hill, Pequeno is the first to show up
- Yeah, if he lives in the funk and pagode
Why can't we go to his birthday?
- That's right, Almir-Rato
Pequeno invited us, and if we don't go it'll be awkward
- Let's go, guys, those who have nothing to hide fear nothing
Tripa always comes to play video games
Tell him, Negão!
- I even scored there the other day, my brother!
No problem
- Alright!
- There's Pequeno out there
In shorts and flip-flops
- Come here!
- Let's go!
- There's soda, hot dogs, and coxinha
And there are plenty of girls left over

And Pequeno grew up and doesn't even remember the gifts he received
But he never forgot the party
The family together, school friends
The folks from the hill and only great music on the turntable
He forgot even the girl's kiss
But remembers the folks jumping into the pool
The memories of his childhood in Cantão
Are etched in his mind and heart
Like that guy who didn't have both legs
And climbed on a skateboard dragging himself in the favela
The determination of that disabled man
Symbolized humility and the struggle of the favela dweller
And the courage that those people had and have
Are an example of life that the kid learned well:
Fight to live, be more supportive
And never hesitate, because there's no place for fools
Nor for too much cunning
Cunning is knowing how to survive in peace
Knowing when to speak and when to stay silent
And to respect in order to be respected
And if the rich think that their children's interaction with the poor hinders education
Pequeno learned what no school can teach by living with the folks from Cantão
He saw that true wealth is living with humility and overcoming prejudice
And gained what no money can buy: The friendship he still holds dear

And the folks still gather there in the corner
Some every day, others not so much
Hello Gebara, Vaguinho, Pamonha, and Passarinho
Bonito, Creck, Bila, Boc, Xêra, and Maluquinho
Tim Dorê, Pinel, Suruba, and Gargamel
Night joined the wild ones and went to heaven earlier
Abobrinha moved to Fortaleza
Déo is already a dad and a nature inspector, great
Janjão became a wing pilot, who would've thought
Nenô became a believer and goes to church every day!
Almir-Rato is now a swimming teacher
And Bocão created a favela surfers association, the new generation
Who will continue the Cantão story
A real story of peace and love
That today is told by Gabriel O Pensador
But ten years ago, more or less, he was better known as Pequeno