Toque de Cavalaria (Berimbau)
History and sentiment behind song
The Origin of The Rhythm
This rhythm was created after the ban on capoeira, when penalties for practice were severe to the point of torture and even mutilation. The rhythm of cavalleria, is perceived to be a warning tone,and not involved with any game of capoeira. The Brazilian government carved the Cavalry Squadron from the National Guard of Brazil to control capoeira activities. Hence this rhythm found its origins.
A Capoeirista with a Berimbau
A capoeirista with a berimbau positioned himself at a vantage point on a hill or in a corner, a short distance from the roda,and when the cavalry approached, his rhythm mimicked the sound of galloping horses and warned the capoeiristas, who either fled or engaged in fierce battles with the police.This is the maximum alert tone in capoeira and was inspired by the cavalry trot . However till today,this is fiercely debated,because whereas the cavalry came in existence in 1800, the berimbau was introduced only in the late 1800 or early 1900.
Song Lyrics
Já chegou o sargento
Da capitania
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Ele quer documento
É a ordem do dia
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Trouxe o seu regimento
Pro cais da Bahia
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Todo o destacamento
Da delegacia
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Pelo poder de barravento
Vamos lutar com valentia
Já desceu todo o alojamento
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Pela medalha de São Bento
E o capacete do meu guia
Pra combater o fardamento
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Já chegou o sargento
Da capitania
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Ele quer documento
É a ordem do dia
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Trouxe o seu regimento
Pro cais da bahia
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Todo o destacamento
Da delegacia
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Não adianta o armamento
Pra quem tem medo e covardia
A mão na terra e o pé no vento
Vamos tocar cavalaria
A capoeira é o fundamento
Contra o poder da tirania
Pra confirmar o juramento
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
O militar que tome tento
Porque vai ter pancadaria
Se extrapolar no tratamento
Vamos tocar cavalaria
O povo segue o ensinamento
Que mestre mangangá dizia
Pra quem é bravo e violento
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
Vamos tocar cavalaria
English translations
The sergeant has arrived
From the captaincy
Let's play cavalry.
He wants a document.
It's the order of the day.
Let's play cavalry.
He brought his regiment
Bay of Bahia
Let's play cavalry.
All detachment
From the police station
Let's play cavalry.
Let's play cavalry.
Let's play cavalry.
By the power of barravento
Let's fight bravely.
Already gone down the whole lodge
Let's play cavalry.
For the S