Prazer em conhece-lo [English translation]

How many time do we smile without wanting to,

With hatred welling up in our hearts,

Just to satisfy a simple social convention,

At the moment of an introduction.

If I had known, that I would have found you at that party,

I wouldn't have spoiled your pleasure,

Because if I hadn't been there, I wouldn't be remembering

A past that made us suffer so much.

There in a corner, I spotted an old rival of mine,

An ex-friend,

Who awaited the fatal scandal.

I turned pale as a ghost, yellow, tabby,

With terror,

Unable to come up with a good idea.

I still remember that, all of sudden, we were

Face to face,

In that instant, cooler than ice,

And smiling, you clasped my hand,

Saying:

"I'm very pleased to meet you."

How many times, do we smile without wanting to...

And I noticed that somebody, impatient

And disgruntled,

Would rebuke you later.

Now jealous, I didn't even want to know

How much more pleasure

I would have had in not knowing you.

"I'm very pleased to meet you."

• Artist:Noel Rosa