From the recording Pedro Veio (Old Pedro)
Pedro Veio was a real character in the little town of Hidrolandia, in the state of Goias- in the heart of Brasil - where I lived until I was 7. He often walked the streets, singing, and asking for money, food and old clothes. With him, came his two daughters, Maria, and Rosario, who couldn't talk, nor walk, and was severely handicapped. A child hears things and the story is what I heard. The song is typical of the hillbilly moda, or tune, sung to the sound of the viola caipira (a steel-string country guitar), a real folk tale in the tradition of the songs of the Brazilian sertao, or backlands.
Lyrics
Oh Gerarda Telle vem me visitar
Um pouquinho só
Oh Gerarda Telle vem me visitar
Um pouquinho só
Pedro Veio cantou
E a Maria dancou
Pedro Veio cantou
E o passante pagou
Pra olhar a Rosário
Num carrinho de mão
A mulher do Pedro morreu
E a filha, a virgem Maria,
Entrou pra escuridão
Pedro Veio achou
Uma consolação.
A menina Maria
Deu à luz sua filha-irmã
Seu Rosário de lágrimas
Pobre Maria
Aguenta seu pai
Ai que vida, quantos ais
E a Rosário, a boba,
No carrinho, boiou.
Translation:
”Oh, Gerarda Telle, come visit me for just a little while “
Old Pedro sang and Maria danced
Old Pedro sang and the the passer-by paid up
To take a peek at Rosário in the hand wood-cart.
Pedro's wife died
And the daughter,
The virgin Maria
Was entered into darkness
Old Pedro found a consolation
The girl Maria Brought into the light
Her sister-daughter
Her rosary of tears
Poor Maria
Puts up with her father
What a life, so much sorrow
And Rosário the demented
In the handcart was oblivious.
Maguinha, vocals
Douglas Lora, guitar