Vou dizer a meu senhô, que a manteiga derramou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
A manteiga não é minha, é prà filha de ioiô
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
A manteiga é do patrão, caiu n'agua e se molhou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
A manteiga é de iaiá, a manteiga é de ioiô
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
A manteiga é do patrão, caiu no chão e derramou
Vou dizer a meu senhor, que a manteiga derramou
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
The butter is not mine, it belongs to my master’s son
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
The butter belongs to the boss, it fell on the floor and spilled
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
The butter belongs to iaiá, the butter belongs to ioiô
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
The butter belongs to the boss, it fell on the floor and spilled
I’ll tell my master that I’ve split the butter
A slave narrative about a 'mysterious' spillage. A container full of butter has been knocked over, and no one is taking responsibility. When asked the slave says, "it's not my butter, it's the master's butter" which, while technically true, does not help resolve the matter. Slaves would often use such tactics of "passive resistance" to remind the master of his dependence on them.