El Carau

Friends and comrades
who want to listen to me,
I am going to tell the event
that happened to Karãu.

With his mother sick
he went out to find a remedy
he found a gathering
and there he stayed to dance.

Dancing at the party
with the best girl,
whispering in her ear
to not reject his love.

Around midnight
a friend arrived
very sad he spoke to him

Excuse me, friend Karãu
I bring you sad news
your mother has passed away
and I am sorry to tell you.

It doesn't matter, my good friend,
I will not stop dancing
[he finishes the polka]
if it's time to cry, it's time to cry
there's time for that.

Tired of dancing at last
as dawn arrived
he said to his girl:
let's say goodbye
I must go to my mother.

The lady replied:
your mother has passed away
I will accompany you
in mourning for her.

Upon hearing these words
Karãu said goodbye
he left crying and saying
my mother has passed away...

He wandered through the marshes
forever in mourning
for being a bad son
Tupã punished him
with a black plumage
and condemned him to weep.