Sônia – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Agnes Nunes, Xamã

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics of "Sônia" by Agnes Nunes and Xamã. This song, inspired by Bossa Nova, offers a touching tribute to a mother's strength and resilience, weaving in reflections on love and self-discovery. Learn about the artistry behind this collaboration and gain insight into Brazilian music culture.

[English]

When we love, we bluff

But honestly, you're screwed at a poker table

About to make the wrong bet

She offered me a cigarette, I smoked out of politeness

I nearly said: Darling, I love you

But I just looked at the Monet painting

And made an obvious comment to buy time

...

You remind me of Sônia

Amazon Queen, daughter of God and Mary

Barefoot girl running down the avenue alone

Aimless, unafraid of life

That’s when I discovered the world around the corner

And that love, the more it hits, the more it teaches you

I’ll be a poet and fix my heart in any workshop

But don’t read me like I’m a poem

Don’t treat me that way

Sônia, what happened to your dreams?

To what are you more afraid than loneliness?

You’ll have a child, with all the insight of Scorpio

But don’t read me like I’m a poem

Don’t treat me that way

...

Who saw me like this

A circus without a tent

Wants to know about me

Hop in my car

I decided to sing for you

What I wrote here

They came at me with a little samba

I don’t know how to samba, so I just sang

I decided to sing for you

What I wrote here

They came at me with a little samba

I don’t know how to samba, so I just sang

Today they ask me

Why I live this way

Oh, love, life calls

And I follow along

Today they ask me

Why I live this way

Oh, love, life calls

And I follow along

Don’t invite me to samba

Because I don’t know how to samba

Don’t invite me to samba

Because I don’t know how to samba

I’ll leave early

...

[Portuguese]

Quando a gente ama, a gente blefa

Mas, na verdade, cê tá fudido numa mesa de poker

Prestes a fazer a aposta errada

Ela me ofereceu um cigarro e eu fumei por educação

Eu quase disse: Querida, eu te amo

Mas só olhei pro quadro do Monet

E fiz um comentário óbvio pra ganhar tempo

Você me lembra Sônia

Rainha Amazona, filha de Deus e de Maria

Moleca descalça correndo pela avenida sozinha

Sem rumo, sem medo da vida

Foi aí que eu conheci o mundo atrás da esquina

E que o amor, quanto mais bate, mais te ensina

Vou ser poeta e consertar meu coração em qualquer oficina

Mas não me leia como se fosse um poema

Não me trate assim

Sônia, o que que houve com seus sonhos?

Ao que temes mais que a solidão?

Terás um filho e toda perspicácia do signo de escorpião

Mas não me leia como se fosse um poema

Não me trate assim

Quem me viu assim

Um circo sem lona

Quer saber de mim

Que pegue carona

Resolvi cantar pra vocês

O que eu aqui escrevi

Me vieram com um sambinha

Não sei sambar, então eu cantei

Resolvi cantar pra vocês

O que eu aqui escrevi

Me vieram com um sambinha

Não sei sambar, então eu cantei

Hoje eles me perguntam

Por que eu vivo assim

Ô, amor, a vida chama

E eu vou no sapatin

Hoje eles me perguntam

Por que eu vivo assim

Ô, amor, a vida chama

E eu vou no sapatin

Não me chame pro samba

Porque eu não sei sambar

Não me chame pro samba

Porque eu não sei sambar

Vou-me embora cedo

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ama /ˈɐ.mɐ/ A1	verb - to love
mesa /ˈme.zɐ/ A1	noun - table
cigarro /siˈɡa.ʁu/ A2	noun - cigarette
tempo /ˈtẽ.pu/ A2	noun - time
rainha /ʁɐˈĩ.ɲɐ/ A2	noun - queen
filha /ˈfi.ʎɐ/ A1	noun - daughter
medo /ˈme.du/ A2	noun - fear
vida /ˈvi.dɐ/ A1	noun - life
amor /ɐˈmoɾ/ A1	noun - love
poeta /puˈɛ.tɐ/ B1	noun - poet
coração /ko.ɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ A1	noun - heart
sonhos /ˈsõ.ɲus/ A2	noun - dreams
filho /ˈfi.ʎu/ A1	noun - son
cantar /kɐ̃ˈtaɾ/ A1	verb - to sing
vida /ˈvi.dɐ/ A1	noun - life

Key Grammar Structures

• Quando a gente ama, a gente blefa

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (implicit). The “quando” clause implies a hypothetical or general situation, often triggering the subjunctive in other contexts, although here it's indicative. General use of 'a gente' for 'nós' (we).

  ➔ Explains a common expression about love and deception. "Quando a gente ama" (When we love) introduces a general statement, and "a gente blefa" (we bluff) describes a common behavior.

• Prestes a fazer a aposta errada

  ➔ "Prestes a" + infinitive: expressing immediacy or being about to do something.

  ➔ Indicates that the subject is on the verge of making a wrong bet, emphasizing the precariousness of the situation.

• Mas só olhei pro quadro do Monet

  ➔ Use of "pro" (short for "para o") contracted preposition indicating direction or destination.

  ➔ Shows a deliberate avoidance of direct interaction, focusing instead on an external object. Highlights the speaker's hesitation.

• Você me lembra Sônia

  ➔ Transitive verb "lembrar" meaning 'to remind'. Pronoun "me" as the indirect object. "Lembrar" can be pronominal ("lembrar-se") with a different structure/meaning.

  ➔ A direct comparison is made, stating that Sônia evokes a certain memory or impression in the speaker.

• Moleca descalça correndo pela avenida sozinha

  ➔ Descriptive language using adjectives and a gerund. "Descalça" (barefoot) and "sozinha" (alone) are adjectives modifying "moleca" (girl). "Correndo" (running) is a gerund functioning as an adjective describing the action.

  ➔ Paints a vivid image of a carefree and independent girl, highlighting her freedom and lack of fear.

• E que o amor, quanto mais bate, mais te ensina

  ➔ Comparative structure "quanto mais... mais..." expressing a proportional relationship (the more... the more...). "Te" is an object pronoun.

  ➔ Suggests that love, despite its hardships, provides valuable lessons. The structure emphasizes the increasing intensity of both the pain and the learning.

• Mas não me leia como se fosse um poema

  ➔ Subjunctive mood after "como se" (as if). Expresses a hypothetical or unreal situation. "Não me leia" is an imperative (negative).

  ➔ A plea against superficial understanding or analysis, suggesting the speaker wants to be seen beyond just surface-level interpretation.

• Vou-me embora cedo

  ➔ Pronominal verb "ir-se" (to leave, to go away). Future tense "vou". The reflexive pronoun "me" indicates that the action is directed back at the subject.

  ➔ Indicates a planned or intended departure, emphasizing the speaker's intention to leave early. "Embora" (away) adds emphasis to the leaving.