Capoeira Music - Onde está a liberdade

Autor: Mestre Peixinho

Letras

Onde está a liberdade

Se a algema não se quebrou

O negro quer felicidade

O negro tambem quer ser doutor

Princesa Isabel, Princesa Isabel

Liberdade do negro só tá no papel

Princesa Isabel, Princesa Isabel

Liberdade do negro só tá no papel

Princesa Isabel, Princesa Isabel

Onde está a liberdade

Mas onde está a liberdade

Se a algema não se quebrou

English Translation

Where is the freedom

If the cuff (of chains) is not broken

The black man wants happiness

The black man also wants to be a doctor

Princess Isabela, Princess Isabela

The freedom of the black man is only in writing

Princess Isabel was a Imperial princess of the empire of Brazil who ruled on several occasions as regent for her father. In 1888 she signed the Lei Aurea (Gold Law) that emancipated all slaves in Brazil. While this move was popular, the idea of Isabel (as a woman) succeeding her father led to the imperial family being overthrown in a military coup.

The song suggests that despite this law, the legal and social systems in Brazil mean that black men are still not free.