Ramilonga

“Ramilonga” by Vitor Ramil is a poignant ode to the city of Porto Alegre, capturing the essence of departure and the bittersweet emotions tied to leaving a beloved place. The song opens with the imagery of a cold, rainy afternoon, setting a melancholic tone. The mention of chimarrão, a traditional South American drink, grounds the song in its cultural context, emphasizing the personal and regional connection the artist has with the city. The repetition of “nunca mais” (never again) underscores the finality and sorrow of the departure.

The song is rich with vivid descriptions of Porto Alegre’s neighborhoods and daily life. References to places like Bela Vista, Chácara das Pedras, and Praça XV paint a detailed picture of the city’s landscape. The “tango dos guarda-chuvas” (tango of umbrellas) and the “triste lambe-lambe” (sad street photographer) evoke a sense of nostalgia and elegance, highlighting the unique charm of the city. The recurring phrase “ares de milonga” suggests that the spirit of the traditional milonga dance and music carries the narrator away, symbolizing the emotional and cultural pull of the city.

Vitor Ramil’s lyrics also touch on themes of transformation and memory. The city’s music and atmosphere transform the narrator into a song, blending personal identity with the cultural fabric of Porto Alegre. The song’s structure, with its repetitive and cyclical nature, mirrors the ongoing, yet ever-changing relationship between the narrator and the city. The final lines, “ares de milonga sobre Porto Alegre, nada mais, nada mais” (milonga airs over Porto Alegre, nothing more, nothing more), encapsulate the sense of closure and the lingering presence of the city’s spirit, even as the narrator departs.