Refavela

AIaiá, kiriê
Kiriê, iaiá

The slum
Reveals that
Coming down the hill to have sex
The environment
Effervescent
Of a city sparkling

The slum
Reveals the leap
That the poor black man tries to take
When he leaves
His shack
For a BNH block

The slum, the slum, oh
How beautiful it is, how beautiful it is, oh

The slum
Reveals the paradoxical
Samba school
Little Brazilian
By the accent
But with an international language

The slum
Reveals the step
With which the generation walks
Of the young black
Of black-Rio
Of the new dance in the ballroom

Iaiá, kiriê
Kiriê, iaiá

The slum
Reveals the shock
Between the hellish slum and the sky
Baby-blue-rock
Over the head
Of a chocolate-and-honey people

The slum
Reveals the dream
Of my soul, my heart
Of my people
My seed
Black Maria, Zé, João

The slum, the slum, oh
How beautiful it is, how beautiful it is, oh

The slum
Allegory
Elegy, joy and pain
Rich toy
Of samba plot
About fear, secret, and love

The slum
Pure beat
Of hard ivory samba
Ivory from the coast
Of a Nigeria
Misery, satin clothes

Iaiá, kiriê
Kiriê, iáiá.