Auê is a lively and somewhat informal Brazilian Portuguese word that describes a commotion, a hubbub, or a festive uproar. It's often associated with celebrations and joyful noise.
In the context of this song, which celebrates the Portela samba school and Carnival, "Auê auê salve o samba, salve ela" perfectly captures the vibrant, energetic, and celebratory atmosphere of samba and the carnival. It's a word that evokes the sound and feeling of a big, happy party.
Get ready to be transported to the magic of Brazilian Carnival! This song is a beautiful tribute to Portela, one of Rio de Janeiro's most famous and beloved samba schools. The singer describes the incredible feeling of watching their parade at dawn, as the sun begins to rise. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this "elegante amanhecer" (elegant dawn) and the deep emotions it stirs: joy, peace, and a sense of wonder.
The song is filled with powerful imagery that celebrates Portela's spirit. When the singer says, "Voei nas asas" (I flew on the wings), it's a direct reference to the school's symbol, the eagle. The lyrics praise Portela as a source of "mil contos pra contar" (a thousand tales to tell) and "mil cantos pra cantar" (a thousand songs to sing), highlighting its rich history and cultural importance. It's a pure celebration of samba, community, and the breathtaking beauty of Carnival.
Marisa Monte grew up in Rio de Janeiro, born into a musical family: her mother sang and her father worked as a musical director. She trained her voice with an opera teacher before turning to popular music, and by the late 1980s she had become a central figure in Música Popular Brasileira, an alto who moves easily between samba, jazz, pop, and soul within a single record.
Her 1994 album Verde, Anil, Amarelo, Cor de Rosa e Carvão carried her music well beyond Brazil, and she has since won four Latin Grammy Awards. In 2002 she teamed up with Arnaldo Antunes and Carlinhos Brown to form Tribalistas, whose self-titled album sold more than two million copies across Latin America. She followed it by releasing two solo records on the same day in 2006, Universo ao Meu Redor and Infinito Particular, and has collected eight Brazilian Music Awards and seven MTV Video Music Brazil trophies over her career.