O Menino da Porteira – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Sérgio Reis

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in the heart of Brazilian sertanejo music with Sérgio Reis's "O Menino da Porteira." This beloved song offers a vivid glimpse into rural Brazilian culture, touching on themes of simple kindness, fleeting encounters, and the enduring power of memory. By exploring its narrative and emotional depth, you can connect with the storytelling traditions of Brazil and appreciate the rich tapestry of its music.

[English]

Every time I traveled down the Golden Fino road

From afar, I’d see the figure of a boy

Who would run to open the gate, then come begging me

Play your horn, young man, so I can keep listening

When the cattle passed and the dust was settling down

I’d toss a coin, and he would jump around

Thank you, cowboy, may God be with you

In that distant land, my horn kept playing

...

On this journey of life, I’ve found many thorns

But none cut as deep as what I’ve been through

On my way back, I wondered about everything

Seeing the gate closed, I didn’t see that boy

I got off my horse, at a small farm by the ground

Saw a woman crying, wanted to know why

The cowboy came late, see the cross on the trail

Who killed my little boy was a heartless ox

...

Out near Golden Fino, taking wild cattle

When I pass through the gate, I see your face

Your sad, creaking sounds seem like a message

From that tan face wishing me a safe trip

The little cross on the trail stays in my mind

I made a promise I’ll never forget

Even if my herd breaks apart, I’ll chase after them

In this piece of land, I no longer blow my horn

...

[Portuguese]

Toda vez que eu viajava pela estrada de Ouro Fino

De longe eu avistava a figura de um menino

Que corria abrir a porteira, depois vinha me pedindo

Toque o berrante seu moço que é pra eu ficar ouvindo

Quando a boiada passava e a poeira ia baixando

Eu jogava uma moeda e ele saía pulando

Obrigado boiadeiro, que Deus vá lhe acompanhando

Pra aquele sertão à fora meu berrante ia tocando

No caminho desta vida muitos espinho eu encontrei

Mas nenhum calou mais fundo do que isto que eu passei

Na minha viagem de volta qualquer coisa eu cismei

Vendo a porteira fechada o menino não avistei

Apeei do meu cavalo, no ranchinho a beira chão

Ví uma mulher chorando, quis saber qual a razão

Boiadeiro veio tarde, veja a cruz no estradão

Quem matou o meu filhinho foi um boi sem coração

Lá pras bandas de Ouro Fino levando gado selvagem

Quando passo na porteira até vejo a sua imagem

O seu rangido tão triste mais parece uma mensagem

Daquele rosto trigueiro desejando-me boa viagem

A cruzinha no estradão do pensamento não sai

Eu já fiz um juramento que não esqueço jamais

Nem que o meu gado estoure, que eu precise ir atrás

Neste pedaço de chão berrante eu não toco mais

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
menino /meˈninu/ A1	noun - boy
porteira /poʁˈteɪɾɐ/ A2	noun - gate
cavalo /kaˈvalu/ A2	noun - horse
berrante /beˈʁɐ̃tʃi/ B1	noun - horn (for signaling)
boiada /boiˈadɐ/ B1	noun - herd of cattle
espinho /esˈpiɲu/ B2	noun - thorn
razão /ʁaˈzɐ̃w/ B2	noun - reason
imagem /iˈmaʒẽ/ B2	noun - image
mensagem /mẽˈsaʒẽ/ B2	noun - message
juramento /ʒuɾɐˈmẽtu/ C1	noun - oath
coração /koɾaˈsɐ̃w/ C1	noun - heart

Key Grammar Structures

• Toda vez que eu viajava pela estrada de Ouro Fino

  ➔ Subordinate clause with "que" (that) to introduce purpose or condition.

  ➔ The phrase "que eu viajava" is a subordinate clause indicating the action taking place under a certain condition or time.

• Quando a boiada passava e a poeira ia baixando

  ➔ Consecutive actions using the imperfect tense to describe ongoing past events.

  ➔ The verbs "passava" and "ia baixando" are in the imperfect tense, indicating habitual or ongoing actions in the past.

• Ví uma mulher chorando, quis saber qual a razão

  ➔ Use of the perfect tense "ví" (I saw) and the compound verb "quis saber" (wanted to know).

  ➔ "Ví" is the simple past of "ver" (to see), and "quis saber" is a compound verb formed with "querer" (to want) + "saber" (to know), both in the past tense.

• Nem que o meu gado estoure, que eu precise ir atrás

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood with "que" to express hypothetical or uncertain conditions.

  ➔ The phrases "estoure" and "precise ir" are in the present subjunctive, indicating hypothetical or uncertain future actions.

• Neste pedaço de chão berrante eu não toco mais

  ➔ Use of the negative form "não" with the present indicative verb "toco" to express cessation or refusal.

  ➔ The phrase "não toco mais" combines "não" (not) with "toco" (I play/touch), indicating that the speaker no longer performs the action.