Samba e Amor

For almost exactly four years, I've been listening to--dreaming to--Bebel Gilberto's gorgeous debut album, Tanto Tempo. Only yesterday did I realize that the loveliest song of all, perhaps the loveliest song ever written, is hidden there, the second-to-last, Samba e Amor, written by legendary Brazilian composer Chico Buaraque. This song sneaks up on you, at first merely quiet and charming, but one inky summer evening it reveals its full, seductive depths. Here are the lyrics, in Portuguese and translated into English, but find the song--any recording of it--and listen to it, really listen, and maybe you will be lucky enough to hear it the first time.

Samba E Amor
(Lyrics by Chico Buarque de Hollanda)

Eu faço samba e amor até mais tarde
E tenho muito sono de manhã
Escuto a correria da cidade, que arde
E apressa o dia de amanhã

De madrugada a gente ainda se ama
E a fábrica começa a buzinar
O trânsito contorna a nossa cama, reclama
Do nosso eterno espreguiçar

No colo da bem-vinda companheira
No corpo do bendito violão
Eu faço samba e amor a noite inteira
Não tenho a quem prestar satisfação

Eu faço samba e amor até mais tarde
E tenho muito mais o que fazer
Escuto a correria da cidade, que alarde
Será que é tão difícil amanhecer

Não sei se preguiçoso ou se covarde
Debaixo do meu cobertor de lá
Eu faço samba e amor até mais tarde
E tenho muito sono de manhã


Samba And Love
(Literal translation by Béco Dranoff)

I make samba and love till much later
And I am very sleepy when morning comes
I heard the burning rush of the city
That brings tomorrow faster

In the wee hours we still make love
And the factory whistles begin to blow
The traffic circles around our bed, complaining
Of our eternal stretching

On the lap of my welcomed friend
In the body of the blessed guitar
I make samba and love throughout the night
I have no one to explain myself to

I make samba and love until much later
And I have much more to do
I hear the burning rush of the city, screeching
Why is it so hard for dawn to arrive

I am not sure if lazy or a coward
Under my wool blanket
I make samba and love until much later
And I am very sleepy when morning comes