“Mulher Rendeira” (Lacemaker girl) is a classic xaxado, a typical rhythm of the Northeastern outback, that has been seen everywhere in pop culture, from movies to ballets. Its origin is not clear, but some attribute it to Virgulino Ferreira, known as Lampião, whose band terrorized the Northeast of the country in the first decades of last century. Others attribute it to composer Alfredo Ricardo do Nascimento, or Zé do Norte. No matter what, it was the “official” anthem of Lampião and his men and women.

This is, maybe, the version that got further, internationally. From the classic film “O Cangaceiro” (The Bandit, in a free translation), produced in 1953 by Vera Cruz studios, and awarded in the Cannes Festival, the story of Lampião  and his band of cangaceiros. 

And this version is sang by Antonio dos Santos, one of the cangaceiros of Lampião.

And a beautiful, innovative version by Carlos Malta and Pife Muderno (that will be soon playing at the Carnegie Hall, in New York

Another beauty, by Demônios da Garoa.

The jazzy version of Grupo Jacarandá

A South Korean/Chinese chorus

And, finally, the limpid voice of Astrud Gilberto

For other posts with several interpretations of the same Brazilian tunes, try Ten versions of Tom Jobim’s “How Insensitive” – from Doris Day to Ryuichi Sakamoto; Luar do Sertão marathon; Tico-tico no fubá marathon and The National Anthem in different rhythms.