Djonzinho Cabral – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: DJ Malvado, Josslyn
• Album: Dabanda Roots

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the vibrant sounds of Afro House music with "Djonzinho Cabral" by DJ Malvado and Josslyn. This song offers a glimpse into Cape Verdean culture through its traditional roots and modern adaptation, while also presenting an opportunity to learn phrases in Portuguese Creole related to daily life and struggles.

[English]

Ask my Juana who was there

Ask my Flipi, he’s a witness

Ask my Nton who knows the deal

My people, they’ve suffered so much pain

I lost my mother, I lost my child

I lost my drum, I lost my shoes

Sharks don’t come, nothing’s given

Nothing’s left, not even crumbs to eat

So Morgadu won’t take our land

I told mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay

So Morgadu won’t take our land

I told mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay Oh, mama, oh, mama, oh, mama

I told mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay

Oh, mama, oh, mama, oh, mama

Why, mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay (Let’s go!)

(Let’s go!)

(Let’s go!)

(That’s where it’s good) Little Cabral came from Chã Fazenda

Little Cabral, he has a mother, he has a father

He has gold, he has silver

Because of Maria, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay

Maria of Cabral, they put him in jail

They put him in jail ’cause he broke the rules

Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh

Because of Maria, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay

So Morgadu won’t take our land

I told mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay

So Morgadu won’t take our land

I told mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay Oh, mama, oh, mama, oh, mama

Why, mama, I’ll sell my cow, I’ll pay (Let’s go!)

Sharks, Ildo Lobo

It’s you who’s in charge!

[Portuguese]

Pergunta nha Juana ki staba la

Pergunta nho Flipi k'é testimunha

Pergunta nho Nton ki sina-m papel

Nha genti, es anu N pasa mal tamanhu

N símia nha midju, N símia nha fijon

N po bongolon, N po sapatin

Txuba ka ben, nada ka da

Nada ka ten nen pa limárias kumi

Pa nhu Morgadu ka toma-nu txon

N fla mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga

Pa nhu Morgadu ka toma-nu txon

N fla mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga O, mamai, o, mamai, o, mamai

N fla mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga

Oi, mamai, o, mamai, o, mamai

Pamó mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga (Nu ba!)

(Nu ba!)

(Nu ba!)

(É la ki é bon) Djonzinhu Kabral ben la di Txada Fazénda

Djonzinhu Kabral, el pari matxu, pari féma

E pari or, e pari prata

Pamodi Maria N ta bendi boi N ta paga

Maria di Djonzinhu es po-l na kadia

Es po-l na kadia pamodi e kebra brinku

Oi oi oi oi, oi oi oi oi

Pamodi Maria N ta bendi boi N ta paga

Pa nhu Morgadu ka toma-nu txon

N fla mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga

Pa nhu Morgadu ka toma-nu txon

N fla mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga O, mamai, o, mamai, o, mamai

Pamó mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga (Nu ba!)

Tubarões, Ildo Lobo

É nhos ki ta manda!

Key Grammar Structures

• Pergunta nha Juana ki staba la

  ➔ Relative pronoun "ki" used to introduce a clause describing the subject.

  ➔ The word "ki" functions like English "who/that" – "Juana **who** was there".

• Pergunta nho Flipi k'é testimunha

  ➔ Contraction "k'é" = "que é" (that is) used as a copular predicate.

  ➔ "k'é" combines the relative "que" + verb "é" (is) – "Flipi **that is** a witness".

• N símia nha midju, N símia nha fijon

  ➔ First‑person singular pronoun "N" (I) placed before the verb; subject‑verb order typical of Cape Verdean Creole.

  ➔ "N" means "I" – "**I** am looking at the sea, **I** am looking at the horizon".

• N po bongolon, N po sapatir

  ➔ Progressive marker "ta" omitted; "po" functions as a future/intentional auxiliary meaning "will/going to".

  ➔ "po" indicates future intention – "**I will** go to the beach, **I will** go to the market".

• Txuba ka ben, nada ka da

  ➔ Negation particle "ka" placed before the verb to express "not".

  ➔ "ka" negates the verb – "Txuba **ka** ben" = "Txuba **does not** come".

• Pa nhu Morgadu ka toma‑nu txon

  ➔ Preposition "pa" (for) + noun phrase; verb "toma‑nu" with enclitic object pronoun "‑nu" meaning "us".

  ➔ "pa" = "for" and "toma‑nu" = "take‑us" – "for Morgadu **to take‑us** (away)".

• N fla mamai N ta bendi boi N ta paga

  ➔ Verb "ta" as progressive marker before "bendi" and "paga"; repetition of subject pronoun "N" for emphasis.

  ➔ "ta" = "is/are" – "**I am** pleading, **I am** paying" (repeated "N" stresses the speaker).

• Djonzinhu Kabral, el pari matxu, pari féma

  ➔ Copular construction "el pari" (he is) followed by adjectives; use of parallel adjectives for emphasis.

  ➔ "el pari" = "he is" – "He **is** crazy, **is** fierce" (parallel adjectives).

• É nhos ki ta manda!

  ➔ Pronoun "nhos" (we) with copula "ta" (are) and verb "manda" (command); emphatic clause.

  ➔ "nhos" = "we"; "ta" = "are" – "**We are** the ones who command!"