Composer: Alceu Valença
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The English translation is below the Portuguese lyrics
Full lyrics
O sertão precisa é disso
Açude, cacimba, barreiro
Barragem no São Francisco
Mas só existe governo
Pra dar emprego a soldado
Perseguir os cangaceiro
Cobrar imposto pro estado
Que vive nadando em dinheiro
O sertão precisa é disso
Açude, cacimba, barreiro
Barragem no São Francisco
Mas só existe governo
Pra dar emprego a soldado
Perseguir os cangaceiro
Cobrar imposto pro estado
Que vive nadando em dinheiro
Translation
The backlands need this:
Reservoirs, wells, watering holes
A dam on the São Francisco
But all we have is a government
That employs soldiers
To hunt down bandits
And collect taxes for the state
That swims in money
The backlands need this:
Reservoirs, wells, watering holes
A dam on the São Francisco
But all we have is a government
That employs soldiers
To hunt down bandits
And collect taxes for the state
That swims in money
