Caranguejo não é peixe
This is a Brazilian folk dance that originated in the Azores Islands. You'll find lyrics to the dance in the Notes. The version right below is the song that children sing and dance to…
Caranguejo não é peixe
The Crab is No Fish
Children's Song
Children's Song
(Portuguese)
(English)
Caranguejo não é peixe,
caranguejo peixe é,
caranguejo só é peixe
na enchente da maré.
Ora palma, palma, palma, palma,
ora pé, pé, pé,
ora roda, roda, roda,
caranguejo peixe é.
The crab is no fish,
The crab is fish,
The crab is only fish
In the flood of the tide.
Now, clap, clap, clap,
Now foot, foot, foot,
Now turn, turn, turn,
The crab is fish.
Notes
Lyrics to the dance:
Caranguejo não é peixe (The crab is no fish)
Caranguejo peixe é, (The crab is fish)
Se não fosse o caranguejo (If there were no crab)
Não se dançava em Bagé. (They wouldn't dance in Bagé City*.)
Caranguejo não é peixe (The crab is no fish)
Caranguejo peixe é, (The crab is fish)
Caranguejo perna-fina (Elegant crab)
Não agüenta o balancê. (Doesn't stand the swaying.)
Caranguejo não é peixe (The crab is no fish)
Caranguejo peixe é, (The crab is fish)
Eu já vi um caranguejo (I already saw a crab)
Sentado e lavando os pé. (Sitting and washing its feet.)
Caranguejo não é peixe (The crab is no fish)
Caranguejo peixe é, (The crab is fish)
Eu já vi o caranguejo (I already saw a crab)
Namorando uma "muié". (Wooing a woman.)
This verse can also be heard:
Caranguejo não é peixe (The crab is no fish)
Caranguejo peixe é, (The crab is fish)
Caranguejo está na praia (The crab is on the beach)
À espera da maré. (Waiting for the tide).
*Bagé is a Brazilian city.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Monique and Lisa.