SONORA PONCEÑA – “BORANDA” AND THE “BORANDA CHALLENGE”

BORANDA is an original composition by the Brazilian singer and songwriter Edu Lobo. It appears on the album EDU E (MARIA) BETHANIA (Elenco, 1966). Boranda comes from the Brazilian indigenous word, “Emborar Andar,” which means “continue walking.” The song was translated for Papo Lucca by Ruben Blades. It appeared on the album “EL GIGANTE DEL SUR” (THE GIANT OF THE SOUTH). Participants include Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe, and Yolanda Rivera.

THE LYRICS SPEAK ABOUT A DROUGHT

Ay, Boranda, the land dried up,

Ay, Boranda, the rain did not come,

Ay, Boranda, the land dried,

Ay, Boranda, the rain did not come.

PRAYERS FOR RAIN

I made more than a thousand promises

I recited so many prayers

It must be that I pray low

God does not listen to me

It must be that I pray low

God does not listen to me.

A LAMENT AND REMEMBRANCE

I am passing (the land). I am crying

I remember the place.

What separates Boranda is Papo Lucca’s now-classic impromptu jazz scat (3:39 to 5:08). Today, it’s the inspiration for The Boranda Challenge, a series of videos that capture emerging artists interpreting the scat in creative and surprising ways. View the videos HERE.