Eh eh… Cabo Verde, mi ta bai…
Rotterdam lights calling me
But my heart still in santa catarina, yeah…
Sodadi, sodadi… let’s go!

Sodadi di bo, my love, mi ta senti
Verhuizen naar Nederland, for a better life, sim
Work hard de dia, dream big de noite
But happiness é contigo, baby, no matter the cold
Oh my love, oh my amor
From ilha to city, we chase the joy
Sodadi plus happiness, yeah we find am
Te amo forever, in this new home!

Nha terra di sal y mar, blue sky so far
But seca ta mata, no job, no futuro
Mi bai pa Holanda, pa ganha pão, pa construir
But quando nu ta longe, heart full of dor
Bo diz: “Bai, meu bem, go find your way
But volta sempre, don’t forget Nha terra, okay?”
Eu levo sodade no peito, like a fire that no apaga
Your smile na foto, keeps me strong every day

Kou slaat toe in Rotterdam, mas nha amor, bo fogo ta queima inda
Hard werken voor ons droomhuis, geen rust, geen peace, mi ta luta pa nos
Ik geef niet op, schatje, mi ta kontinua, mi ta bai i bai
Samen omhoog, van Santiago tot hier, nos amor ta fika pé, ta fika pé!!!

Sodadi di bo, my love, mi ta senti
Verhuizen naar Nederland, for a better life, sim
Work hard de dia, dream big de noite
But happiness é contigo, baby, no matter the cold
Oh my love, oh my amor
From ilha to city, we chase the joy
Sodadi plus happiness, yeah we find am
Te amo forever, in this new home!

Cheguei em Schiphol, chuva e cinza no céu
No morna no batuque, só metro e trabalho real
But when I call bo, voice like morna sweet
“You okay, meu amor? I miss you, come back quick”
Eu trabalho, save money, send remessa pra casa
Dreaming of one day, we live together, no more rasa
But happiness ta misturado: new friends, new beat
Yet nothing beats your hug, when I come back to the heat

(You say) Nha amor, bo ta bem?
Sim baby, but I miss the sun, miss you!
(You say) Find your happiness lá?
Sim, but only complete quando bo vem!
(You say) Saudade too much?
Too much, but we strong, we win!
Saudade no Cold

Sodadi di bo, my love, mi ta senti forte (forte!)
From Cabo Verde to Nederland, we build our porte
Work hard, love harder, never give up no more
Happiness é nosso, baby, open the door!
Te amo, nha vida, forever and more
Sodadi no cold, but our fire roars
Ohhh amor… yeah!
We found it… happiness!

Eh… mi ta volta um dia, with you in my arms
Cabo Verde, Nederland… same heart, no harm
Sodadi forever, amor wint altijd
Te amo mi amor, we blijven side by side!

Ze kwamen met de bus, vanuit ver in ‘t zuiden,
Koffers vol saudade, een huis in een grauwe buurt
Vader zocht werk, mãe hield het fogo aan de kook,
Três filhas, dois filhos, um novo vida in ‘t koud

Maar het meisje, minha filha, kleine tornado,
Met blauwe plekken thuiskomen, coragem in d’r ogen
(Quem me tocar), leva dois de volta,
Ze lacht het uit, mas às vezes chora quietinha à noite

Meisje, menina, vechtertje van de straat,
Met ogen van fogo en een coração dat nooit breekt
Ze zeggen: (Dat kind komt elke dag thuis van de luta),
Maar ninguém vê como ela luta bonito pelo seu felicidade

En dan vem ele, menino de duas ruas além,
Não olha pra irmã, não, só pra ela, só pra het meisje
(Meisje, querida…) dit is geen spel meer,
É amor de verdade, que fica, pela tempestade e pela dor

Haar zus werd boos, bateu a porta com força,
(Por que ele escolhe você), com teus punhos sujos e tudo?
Maar hij zei: Porque ela fica como uma rocha na onda,
Porque ela ri quando o mundo quer machucar o coração dela

Ze wandelen langs ‘t kanaal als as luzes acendem,
(Ele pega a mão dela), pela primeira vez ela não solta
Geen vlinders die fladderen, geen doce romantiek,
Mas algo profundo, algo real, algo que nunca mais vai embora

Meisje, menina, vechtertje van de straat,
Met littekens als trofeeën, orgulhosa van cada arranhão
(Ze zeggen: Dat kind komt elke dag thuis van de luta,)
Maar agora ela luta também por ele, e ele por ela

Geen jeugdliefde, (geen verão que passa),
Mas dois corações que sabem: isto é pra sempre, (pra sempre)
Pai olha pra fora, suspira e sorri pequeno,
Ela tem Santa Catarina nos punhos, Nederland nas pernas

Mãe sussurra em português um rezinho tão baixo
Que este amor seja o porto dela, que tudo fique bem esta noite
(Meisje, menina…) geen oorlog meer alleen,
Agora luta ao lado de alguém que a viu de verdade

(De Santa Catarina para Vlaardingen), de dor para um beijo,
Edna en o Paul… eles ganham a luta, eu sei que sim

Eu vim de Cabo Verde, com a minha família querida
Coração cheio de sonhos, nesta terra tão fria

Ik ben geboren in Vlaardingen, in de straten van Holy
Klein jongetje dat droomde van liefde,
En toen kwam jij voor mij

Op Koekoekstraat, n encontra nha amor verdadeiro
Jeugdliefde veranderde in echte liefde, op het pleintje voor de deur
Koekoekstraat… where our young hearts met
From playing outside to “I can’t live without you yet”

We trouwden jong, nog bij de ouders in de Koekoekstraat
Ons kleine wereldje, was perfect gemaakt
Ganhamos um huurhuis in de stad,
Verhuisden met z’n twee

Ali txiiga Ricardo,
Ons eerste kindje,
Met ons geluk mee
But the house got too small,
Our family wanted to grow

We swapped with mother Aldina,
Back to where we started, you know
Back to Koekoekstraat,
Mijn huis, nha raiz

Daar werd Chantal geboren,
Familie compleet,
Nha alegria,
Mijn leven

Koekoekstraat, you watched us become one
From young love to parents, our story had begun
Ricardo and Chantal, our beautiful song
In Vlaardingen Holy, where it started all

Koekoekstraat… Where the kids grow tall
Koekoekstraat… Where the kids grow tall

From the day I open my eyes,
You dey there with love no disguise…

Mama, you carry me nine months strong,
Through the pain, you sing me song
You teach me right from wrong,
Your prayers make me belong

Papa, you worked from dawn till night,
Provided for us, hold the family tight
Your wisdom was my guiding light,
You showed me how to live my life

Sister, my partner in crime,
We talk, we laugh, we share good time
Through ups and downs, you stand by my side,
Family love, no need to hide

Oh my family, you raise me up so high,
Thank you for the love, no let it pass by
Mom and Dad, Sister dear,
You love me unconditional, year after year
Ehh, blessing from above, na you I dey love!
Thank you for raising me, for believing in me,
My great family, forever you be!

Thank you! Thank you! Love you! Love you!
Thank you! Thank you! Love you! Love you!

Growing up in our happy home,
No matter the storm, we never alone
You sacrifice everything for my dream,
Push me forward, build my self-esteem
From small boy to man today,
Your love na the reason I find my way
No money fit buy wetin you give,
Pure heart, that’s how we live

If I get the world, I go bring am home,
Make una see say your seed don grown
No forget the tears and the joy we share,
Family bond, nothing compare…
Ehh, na God bless una for me!

Oh my family, you raise me up so high,
Thank you for the love, no let it pass by
Mom and Dad, Sister dear,
You love me unconditional, year after year
Ehh, blessing from above, na you I dey love!
Thank you for raising me, for believing in me,
My great family, forever you be!

Forever, love you Sis, Mama, Papa, love you,
Love you, Mama, Papa, gorever
Love you Sis, Mama, Papa! Love you, love you, love you

Eh! Tiozão! (haha)
Tá ligado no que eu sinto, né Tiozão?
Deixa rolar… vai!

Ô tiozão, tu entende meu fogo
Sabe que eu quero é curtir esse som louco
Tu ri de tudo, zoa sem parar
Quer me ver no topo, vivendo sem parar!
Ô tiozão (tiozão!)
Tio carinhosa de alma, meu maior fã (é tu!)
Te amo com tudo que eu tenho, sim senhor
Tio do bagulho, o melhor amor!

Chego em casa com a cara de safado
Tu já saca, dá aquela risada escandalosa
Menino, solta esse desejo, deixa acontecer
A vida é curta, tem que é viver!
Tu bota pra quebrar, faz piada do meu jeito
Esse sobrinho meu tá no ponto, pronto pro prejuízo
Mas no fundo, seu protegido, você é meu escudo
O único que entende como eu sinto

Tu diz: (Vai, moleque!)
Pega o que é teu, não tem que ter dó
Seja malandro, seja louco, seja quem for
Mas volta pra, que o tio tá aqui, ó!

Ô tiozão, tu entende meu fogo
Sabe que eu quero é curtir esse som louco
Tu ri de tudo, zoa sem parar
Quer me ver no topo, vivendo sem parar!
Ô tiozão (tiozão!)
Tio carinhosa de alma, meu maior fã (é tu!)
Te amo com tudo que eu tenho, sim senhor
Tio do bagulho, o melhor amor!

De madrugada, mensagem no Signal
E aí sobrinho, já tá pronto pro rolê?
Tu manda áudio rindo, gargalhando alto
Se liga, bicho! Hoje a gente vai com tudo!
Tu não dança em aniversário, isso é verdade
Mas quando é festival, tu veste a fantasia e vai na frente
Te levo pro som alto, tu curte a vibe toda
E quando a gente chega em casa, é só Netflix e pipoca
Cerveja gelada, stand-up na TV ligada
Rindo até doer a barriga, tu zoa o comediante
Olha esse cara, sobrinho! Igualzinho a ti quando tá bêbado!
Tu quer que eu viva solto, que eu ria sem parar
Que eu aproveite cada segundo, sem nunca me arrepender
E quando eu caio na zoeira, tu levanta com moral
Tio tá aqui, levanta essa cabeça, animal!

(Tu diz) Qual é sobrinho?
(Tô ligado, tiozão!) Vai curtir?
Vou com tudo, irmão (Vou com tudo, irmão)
E o desejo, Tô soltando, (sem dó!)
Ô TIOZÃO, O MELHOR QUE JÁ VI!

Ô tiozão, tu entende meu fogo (meu fogo!)
Sabe que eu quero é curtir esse som louco (esse som!)
Tu ri de tudo, zoa sem parar (haha, zoa!)
Quer me ver feliz, no alto do lugar!
Te amo com tudo, com força, com verdade
Tiozão do bagulho… minha eternidade!
Ôôô (tiozão… tiozão!)
O melhor amor… yeah!

Haha, tu é foda, tio!
Filme, stand-up, festival… contigo é sempre top!
Te amo, cara… pra sempre!

Obrigadu Emídio pa bu faze nha vida un festa

Êh êh, tio bom, tio bom
Afrobeat na veia, vamos dançar
Tio que alegra, tio que acalma

Meu tio é o melhor, sempre com sorriso largo
Conta piada boa, faz toda gente rir alto
Quando estou triste, ele chega devagar
Com uma história louca, faz o dia clarear
Eu conto tudo a ele, segredos do coração
Sem julgamento, só amor, só compreensão
Ele ouve paciente, dá conselho certo
Meu tio é família, é o meu porto seguro

Meu tio bom, tio com humor
Acalma o meu coração, êh êh
Posso contar tudo, tudo pra ele
Tio incrível, tio que eu amo

(Meu tio bom, tio bom… dança!)

Ele dança como ninguém, no ritmo do beat
Afrobeat tocando, pés não param quietos
Festa em família, ele é o rei da animação
Com abraço forte, cura qualquer dor
Quando o mundo pesa, ele diz”vai ficar bem”
Com gargalhada alta, espanta o problema
Tio sábio e louco, mistura perfeita
Na minha vida, ele é bênção completa

Meu tio bom, tio com humor
Acalma o meu coração, êh êh
Posso contar tudo, tudo pra ele
Tio incrível, tio que eu amo

(Êh êh, tio bom! Dança, dança!)
(Êh êh, tio bom! Dança, dança!)
(Êh êh, tio bom! Dança, dança!)

Meu tio bom, tio com humor
Acalma o meu coração
Posso contar tudo
Tio incrível, meu tio bom!

Obrigadu Emanuel pa bu konbersa di korason, pa korason

Eh eh… Cape Verde, I am leaving… Rotterdam lights calling me But my heart still in santa catarina, yeah… Longing, longing… let’s go!

Longing for you, my love, I feel it Moving to the Netherlands, for a better life, yes Work hard by day, dream big by night But happiness is with you, baby, no matter the cold Oh my love, oh my amor From island to city, we chase the joy Longing plus happiness, yeah we find am I love you forever, in this new home!

My land of salt and sea, blue sky so far But drought kills, no job, no future I went to Holland, to earn bread, to build But when we are far, heart full of pain You say: “Go, my dear, go find your way But come back always, don’t forget My land, okay?” I carry longing in my chest, like a fire that doesn’t go out Your smile in the photo, keeps me strong every day

The cold strikes in Rotterdam, but my love, your fire still burns Working hard for our dream house, no rest, no peace, I am fighting for us I don’t give up, baby, I continue, I go and go Together upwards, from Santiago to here, our love stands tall, stands tall!!!

Longing for you, my love, I feel it Moving to the Netherlands, for a better life, yes Work hard by day, dream big by night But happiness is with you, baby, no matter the cold Oh my love, oh my amor From island to city, we chase the joy Longing plus happiness, yeah we find am I love you forever, in this new home!

I arrived at Schiphol, rain and gray in the sky No morna, no drumming, only metro and real work But when I call you, voice like morna sweet “You okay, my love? I miss you, come back quick” I work, save money, send remittance home Dreaming of one day, we live together, no more struggle But happiness is mixed: new friends, new beat Yet nothing beats your hug, when I come back to the heat

(You say) My love, are you okay? Yes baby, but I miss the sun, miss you! (You say) Did you find your happiness there? Yes, but only complete when you come! (You say) Longing too much? Too much, but we strong, we win! Longing no Cold

Longing for you, my love, I feel it strong (strong!) From Cabo Verde to Nederland, we build our status/standing Work hard, love harder, never give up no more Happiness is ours, baby, open the door! I love you, my life, forever and more Longing no cold, but our fire roars Ohhh amor… yeah! We found it… happiness!

Eh… I am returning one day, with you in my arms Cabo Verde, Nederland… same heart, no harm Longing forever, love always wins I love you my love, we stay side by side!

They came by bus, from far in the south, Suitcases full of longing, a house in a gray neighborhood Father looked for work, mother kept the fire boiling, Three daughters, two sons, a new life in the cold

But the girl, my daughter, little tornado, Coming home with bruises, courage in her eyes (Who touches me), takes two back, She laughs it off, but sometimes cries quietly at night

Girl, little girl, little fighter of the street, With eyes of fire and a heart that never breaks They say: (That child comes home every day from the fight), But no one sees how she fights beautifully for her happiness

And then he comes, boy from two streets away, Doesn’t look at the sister, no, only at her, only at the girl (Girl, darling…) this is no game anymore, It is true love, that stays, through the storm and through the pain

Her sister got angry, slammed the door hard, (Why does he choose you), with your dirty fists and all? But he said: Because she stands like a rock in the wave, Because she laughs when the world wants to hurt her heart

They walk along the canal as the lights turn on, (He takes her hand), for the first time she doesn’t let go No butterflies fluttering, no sweet romance, But something deep, something real, something that never goes away again

Girl, little girl, little fighter of the street, With scars like trophies, proud of every scratch (They say: That child comes home every day from the fight,) But now she fights also for him, and he for her

No youth love, (no summer that passes), But two hearts that know: this is forever, (forever) Father looks outside, sighs and smiles a little, She has Santa Catarina in her fists, the Netherlands in her legs

Mother whispers in Portuguese a little prayer so low That this love may be her port, that everything will be fine tonight (Girl, little girl…) no more war alone, Now she fights beside someone who saw her for real

(From Santa Catarina to Vlaardingen), from pain to a kiss, Edna and Paul… they win the fight, I know they do

I came from Cape Verde, with my dear family Heart full of dreams, in this land so cold

I was born in Vlaardingen, in the streets of Holy Little boy who dreamed of love, And then you came to me

On Koekoekstraat, I find my true love Youth love turned into real love, on the little square in front of the door Koekoekstraat… where our young hearts met From playing outside to “I can’t live without you yet”

We married young, still with the parents on the Koekoekstraat Our little world, was perfectly made We gained a rental house in the city, Moved together as a pair

There came Ricardo, Our first little child, With our happiness along But the house got too small, Our family wanted to grow

We swapped with mother Aldina, Back to where we started, you know Back to Koekoekstraat, My house, my root

There, Chantal was born, Family complete, My joy, My life

Koekoekstraat, you watched us become one From young love to parents, our story had begun Ricardo and Chantal, our beautiful song In Vlaardingen Holy, where it started all

Koekoekstraat… Where the kids grow tall Koekoekstraat… Where the kids grow tall

Hey! Cool Uncle! (haha)
You know what I feel, right, Cool uncle?
Let it roll… go!

Oh Cool uncle, you understand my fire
You know that what I want is to enjoy this crazy sound
You laugh at everything, tease without stopping
Want to see me at the top, living without stopping!
Oh Cool uncle (Cool uncle!)
Uncle, affectionate in soul, my biggest fan (it’s you!)
I love you with everything I have, yes sir
Uncle of the stuff, the best love!

I arrive home with a mischievous face
You already get it, give that scandalous laugh
Boy, release this desire, let it happen
Life is short, you have to live it!
You break it down, make jokes about my way
This nephew of mine is on point, ready for the damage
But deep down, your protégé, you are my shield
The only one who understands how I feel

You say: (Go, kid!)
Take what is yours, don’t have to have pity
Be a rascal, be crazy, be whoever you are
But come back, because your uncle is here, look!

Oh Cool uncle, you understand my fire
You know that what I want is to enjoy this crazy sound
You laugh at everything, tease without stopping
Want to see me at the top, living without stopping!
Oh Cool uncle (Cool uncle!)
Uncle, affectionate in soul, my biggest fan (it’s you!)
I love you with everything I have, yes sir
Uncle of the stuff, the best love!

At dawn, message on Signal
What’s up nephew, are you ready for the ride/party?
You send an audio laughing, giggling out loud
Check it out, man! Today we go all out!
You don’t dance at birthdays, that’s the truth
But when it’s a festival, you put on the costume and go in the front
I take you to the loud sound, you enjoy the whole vibe
And when we get home, it’s just Netflix and popcorn
Cold beer, stand-up on the TV turned on
Laughing until the belly hurts, you tease the comedian
Look at this guy, nephew! Just like you when you’re drunk!
You want me to live loose, to laugh without stopping
That I enjoy every second, without ever regretting
And when I fall into the joking, you lift me up with morale
Uncle is here, lift that head, animal!

(You say) What’s up nephew?
(I know, Cool uncle!) You gonna enjoy it?
I’m going all out, brother (I’m going all out, brother)
And the desire, I’m releasing it, (no pity!)
OH Cool UNCLE, THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!

Oh Cool uncle, you understand my fire (my fire!)
You know that what I want is to enjoy this crazy sound (this sound!)
You laugh at everything, tease without stopping (haha, tease!)
Want to see me happy, in the highest place!
I love you with everything, with strength, with truth
Cool uncle of the stuff… my eternity!
Ohhh (Cool uncle… Cool uncle!)
The best love… yeah!

Haha, you are the best, uncle!
Movie, stand-up, festival… with you it’s always top!
I love you, man… forever!

Thank you Emídio for making my life a party

Hey hey, good uncle, good uncle Afrobeat in my veins, let’s dance Uncle who brings joy, uncle who calms

My uncle is the best, always with a wide smile Tells a good joke, makes everyone laugh out loud When I am sad, he arrives slowly With a crazy story, he makes the day brighten up I tell him everything, secrets of the heart Without judgment, only love, only understanding He listens patiently, gives the right advice My uncle is family, he is my safe harbor

My good uncle, uncle with humor He calms my heart, hey hey I can tell everything, everything to him Incredible uncle, uncle whom I love

(My good uncle, good uncle… dance!)

He dances like no one else, to the rhythm of the beat Afrobeat playing, feet don’t stay still Family party, he is the king of the entertainment With a strong hug, he heals any pain When the world weighs down, he says “it’s going to be alright” With a loud laugh, he scares away the problem Wise and crazy uncle, perfect mixture In my life, he is a complete blessing

My good uncle, uncle with humor He calms my heart, hey hey I can tell everything, everything to him Incredible uncle, uncle whom I love

(Hey hey, good uncle! Dance, dance!) (Hey hey, good uncle! Dance, dance!) (Hey hey, good uncle! Dance, dance!)

My good uncle, uncle with humor He calms my heart I can tell everything Incredible uncle, my good uncle!

Thank you Emanuel for our heart to heart conversation