Saint Benedict founded the Benedictine order in the 6th century. According to Lewis (1992: 179) « he is sometimes syncretized with Omolu in the Yoruba pantheon, a god of health and nutrition (Henfrey 1981: 58–60). » In capoeira, he is often associated with snakes, just as St. Patrick is in Ireland. This song is an incantation to St. Benedict as a protection against snake bites. The line « an old hole has a snake inside » is also a warning not to underestimate an old capoeira player, equivalent to saying « an old player may still have tricks up the sleeve. » • barravento (bah-hhah-VENT-(oo)) Originally a nautical term referring to wind, it also relates to bodily equilibrium and a particular liturgical music of candomblé. It is also associated with the trance that occurs when this music is played. Valha me Deus – this expression comes from the North of Brazil and can mean protect/be with me/ bless or “God – free me”.
Paroles
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento
Eu vou jogar meu Barravento
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento (coro)
Eu vou jogar meu Barravento
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento (coro)
Ê, Buraco véio tem cobra dentro
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento (coro)
Ê, Quando vê cobra assanhada
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento (coro)
Não põe o pé na rodilha
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento (coro)
A cobra assanhada morde
Valha-me Deus, Senhor São Bento (coro)
Eu vou jogar meu Barravento
Traduction
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento
Je vais jouer mon Barravento
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento (chœur)
Je vais jouer mon Barravento
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento (chœur)
Ê, dans un vieux trou il y a un serpent
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento (chœur)
Ê, quand tu vois un serpent en colère
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento (chœur)
Ne mets pas le pied sur son nid
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento (chœur)
Le serpent en colère mord
Dieu me vienne en aide, Seigneur São Bento (chœur)
Je vais jouer mon Barravento