Vaga-Lumes Lyrics Translation in English

Miro Saldanha
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Portuguese Lyrics

English Translation

Este ano, os vaga-lumes vieram cedo,

This year, the fireflies came early,

Qual lanternas de brinquedo soltas pelo ar;

Like toy lanterns released into the air;

Clareando a noite escura, pra espantar os medos

Brightening the dark night, to chase away fears

E enfeitando os arvoredos, quando tem luar.

And decorating the groves when there's moonlight.


Este ano, os vaga-lumes vieram cedo,

This year, the fireflies came early,

Pelos campos e varzedos, a vagalumear.

Through fields and meadows, flickering about.

Minha alma está pulsando na ponta dos dedos,

My soul is pulsating at the tips of my fingers,

Ponteando meus segredos pra quando eu voltar!

Strumming my secrets for when I return!


(Quero saudar os tropeiros, pelas tardes longas,

(I want to greet the drovers, through the long afternoons,

Juntar os parceiros pra pontear milongas

Gather the comrades to play milongas

Ao pé dos braseiros, nas noites de lá!

By the embers, in those nights there!

Quero ensinar pra as sementes o que é saudade,

I want to teach the seeds about longing,

Que a gente só entende quando chega a idade

Which we only understand as we age,

E descobre que sente desde que era piá!)

And discover that we've felt it since we were kids!)


Quero rever os pesqueiros da velha lagoa;

I want to revisit the fishing spots of the old lagoon;

Descer o rio, de canoa, e ver onde vai dar;

Go down the river in a canoe and see where it leads;

Matar sede de saudade bebendo água boa;

Quench the thirst for longing by drinking good water;

Ver a garça quando voa e quando vai pousar!

See the heron when it flies and when it lands!


Quero grilos e guitarras no mesmo queixume;

I want crickets and guitars in the same lament;

E as estrelas com ciúmes, vendo o céu no chão!

And the stars, jealous, watching the sky on the ground!

Depois, volto à velha luta, como de costume,

Then, I return to the old struggle, as usual,

Esperando os vaga-lumes pra mais um verão.

Waiting for the fireflies for another summer.


(Quero saudar os tropeiros, pelas tardes longas,

(I want to greet the drovers, through the long afternoons,

Juntar os parceiros pra pontear milongas

Gather the comrades to play milongas

Ao pé dos braseiros, nas noites de lá!

By the embers, in those nights there!

Quero ensinar pra as sementes o que é saudade,

I want to teach the seeds about longing,

Que a gente só entende quando chega a idade

Which we only understand as we age,

E descobre que sente desde que era piá!)

And discover that we've felt it since we were kids!)

Added by Ricardo Costa
São Paulo, Brazil July 22, 2024
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