: The phrase "Tengo, lengo, tengo" mimics the repetitive sound of a cattle bell (chocalho). In the song, this sound represents the ringing bell of a herd that no longer has its leader, symbolizing the void left by the cowboy's death.
: The lyrics lament the harsh reality of these workers, who are often forgotten by society but mourned by their loyal animals—the mooing cattle and the crying dog. : The phrase "Tengo, lengo, tengo" mimics the
: Gonzaga wrote the song to honor his cousin, Raimundo Jacó , a skilled cowboy who was found murdered in the sertão (backlands) of Pernambuco. : The phrase "Tengo