Vou dizer minha mulher, Paraná
Capoeira me venceu, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
A mulher pra ser bonita, Paraná
Não precisa se pintar, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Vou mim embora pra Bahia, Paraná
Porque lá é meu lugar Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Vou me embora, vou me embora, Paraná
Tão sedo não venho cà, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Se não for essa semana, Paraná
A semana que passou, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Na roda de capoeira, Paraná
Deu o seu valor, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
I’m going to tell my wife
Capoeira saved me
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
A woman to be beautiful
Doesn’t need to wear makeup
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
I’m leaving for Bahia
Because that is where I belong
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
I'm leaving, I'm leaving
So soon I don't come here
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
If not this week
The week that passed
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
In the capoeira roda
Gave your value
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Paranauê, paranauê, Paraná
Parana is the name of a state in Brazil. It has come to represent freedom and is used symbolically in many capoeira songs. Paranaue, is one of Capoeira's most famous and popular song. This song is sung to commemorate the many Capoeiristas who fought the War of Paraguay, more out of compulsion than choice, in order to win freedom from the Brazilian Government. This song essentially refers to the War of Paraguay, between Paraguay and Brazil. Since logically the the masters and rulers did not want to be on the front line, they deployed a large number of slaves to fight for them with an incentive lifeline; an offer of freedom in case they returned alive after fighting the enemy. The slaves had an added advantage in hand to hand combat, due to their capoeira skills due to which many of them did return alive. On the way back, from the battle, on the banks of the Parana river the now ex slaves gave vent to their feelings through this beautiful song. Despite the tragedy, during which almost seventy five percent of Paraguayans lost their lives, it was an important milestone in the life of the slaves of Brazil and is commemorated to this day throughout the country.