Berrante da Saudade

The song 'Berrante da Saudade' by Peão Carreiro e Zé Paulo is a poignant reflection on nostalgia and the longing for a past way of life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the life of a cattle herder in Brazil's vast hinterlands, known as the sertão. The berrante, a horn used to guide cattle, symbolizes the essence of the boiadeiro (cattle herder) lifestyle, which is characterized by a deep connection with nature, the land, and the cattle they lead.

The song's verses evoke the sensory experiences of the boiadeiro, from the sight of dust clouds rising on the trail to the taste of traditional cowboy food. The mention of sleeping in a hammock under the stars, without the confines of walls or a roof, emphasizes the freedom and simplicity of this lifestyle. The chorus, with its repeated calls to the cattle ('Ê boi'), serves as a haunting reminder of the past, echoing the sounds that once filled the sertão.

However, the song also speaks to the loss of this way of life. The singer recounts the transition from being a boiadeiro, with colorful stories from the road, to a solitary figure without a cattle drive or the berrante's call. This change signifies a deeper cultural shift, where traditional practices and lifestyles give way to modernity, leaving behind a sense of loss and yearning for what was once a source of identity and happiness.