Atirei o pau ao gato
Portuguese Nursery Rhyme
Original Lyrics
Atirei o pau ao gato-toMas o gato-toNão morreu-reu-reuDona Chica-caAdmirou-se-seDo berro, do berroQue o gato deu: Miau!
English Translation
I threw the stick to the cat-catBut the cat-catDid not die-ie-ieDona Chica-caWas amazed-azedAt the scream, the screamThat the cat gave: Meow!
Translation Notes
Line-by-Line Translation
Atirei o pau ao gato-to - I threw the stick at the cat.
- Atirei: I threw (past tense of atirar).
- o pau: the stick.
- ao gato: at the cat.
- The suffix -to is a rhythmic repetition common in Portuguese children's play.
Mas o gato-to / Não morreu-reu-reu - But the cat did not die.
- Mas: but.
- não morreu: did not die (from morrer).
Dona Chica-ca / Admirou-se-se - Mrs. Chica was amazed.
- Dona: title of respect (like Lady or Mrs.).
- admirou-se: was amazed or surprised.
Do berro, do berro / Que o gato deu: Miau! - At the scream that the cat gave: Meow!
- berro: scream or cry.
- que o gato deu: that the cat gave (from dar).
Vocabulary
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| atirei | I threw |
| pau | stick |
| gato | cat |
| morreu | died |
| admirou-se | was amazed |
| berro | scream |
| deu | gave |
History and Meaning
"Atirei o Pau ao Gato" (I Threw the Stick at the Cat) is a Portuguese circle game, and these days a slightly awkward one. In the original words a child throws a stick at a cat, which screeches but survives, while a Mrs. Chica looks on in shock. Children sing it holding hands in a ring across Portugal and Brazil, though many now use a gentler rewrite in which the stick becomes bread and the cat gets fed rather than struck.
Origins
As a traditional piece of oral folklore, the song has no known composer or first publication date. It belongs to the classic genre of "cantigas de roda" (wheel or circle songs) that have been passed down for centuries in Portugal and brought to Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking regions.
Modern Adaptations
In recent decades, the rhyme has faced social criticism due to its lyrics, which describe throwing a stick at a cat. In response, modern educators and parents have introduced alternative versions to promote animal kindness. In these child-friendly versions, the word "pau" (stick) is replaced with "pão" (bread) or "peixe" (fish), and "não morreu" (didn't die) is replaced with "não comeu" (didn't eat), changing the song from a story about hurting an animal into a story about feeding a pet.
What is the meaning of Atirei o Pau ao Gato?
The rhyme is a traditional Portuguese children's circle song about throwing a stick at a cat that screeches but survives. It is sung as a rhythmic game, though the lyrics have no specific historical meaning.
Why were the lyrics of Atirei o Pau ao Gato changed?
Due to modern concerns about animal welfare and preventing cruelty, educators and parents have created gentler versions. These updated lyrics change the act of throwing a stick at a cat to feeding it bread or fish.
Lyrics from nurseryrhymes.info