Asa Branca

"Asa Branca"
Song
LanguagePortuguese
Released1947 (1947)
Songwriter(s)

"Asa Branca" is a song written by Luiz Gonzaga and Humberto Teixeira in 1947. The asa-branca ("white wing") of the title is the picazuro pigeon.[1] With its departure the desolation of the parched sertão (the arid backcountry) is complete, and the protagonist of the song, unable to make a living, must leave the sertão and his lady-love Rosinha. The song closes with his promise to return.[2]

Covers

The picazuro pigeon, called pomba-asa-branca or white-winged dove in Portuguese.

Also played on the Scottish Highland bagpipes long with Brazilian surdo by macumba.

Recognition

The song was voted by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone as the 4th greatest Brazilian song.[2]

A Volta da Asa-Branca

"A Volta da Asa-Branca" (The Return of the White-wing) is a sequel to "Asa Branca". It marks the return of rain, the asa-branca, and the protagonist to the sertão. The song celebrates the return of life to the sertão, and the protagonist's reunion with Rosinha, whom he plans to marry at the end of the year.

References

  1. ^ Oniki, Y.; Willis, E.O. (2000-11-30). "Nesting behavior of the picazuro pigeon, Columba picazuro (COLUMBIDAE, AVES)". Revista Brasileira de Biologia. 60 (4). São Carlos: 663–666. doi:10.1590/S0034-71082000000400017. hdl:11449/28973. ISSN 0034-7108. PMID 11241966.
  2. ^ a b c Angelo, Assis (2009). "As 100 Maiores Músicas Brasileiras - "Asa Branca"". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Portuguese). Spring. Retrieved 6 January 2014.