Capoeira is rather unique among martial arts, for it is not an art born of war or battle, but rather has its roots in survival in the face of oppression.

It is a martial art for the Slave, not for the warrior.

The warrior has a choice, the Slave has none.
The warrior lives free, the Slave is bonded to society.
The warrior goes where he chooses, the Slave must obtain permits and papers.
The warrior trains all day and works on the battlefield.
The Slave works for most of their waking day and is thus given no time to train.
The warrior is the law, the Slave must obey the law or be punished.
A warrior lives and dies by battle for that is their work.
A Slave lives and dies by work for that is their battle.
A warrior fights for a code, for glory.
A Slave fights to endure, to live, to exist.
A warrior wears his weapons proudly.
A Slave must protect themselves with whatever they can.
A warrior boasts of his power and skill.
A Slave must conceal his skills.
A warrior fights for the love of fighting.
A Slave fights to prevent violence from taking their life.
A warrior seeks battle by being prepared for it.
A Slave seeks to avoid battle by being prepared for it

The warrior is used to keep Slaves in Slavery.
Slaves are used to keep warriors fed and clothed.

Warriors: Capoeira is not for you.
It is only dancing, it is not fit for battle.
It keeps the Slaves fit, it lets them smile.
Warriors are not dancers.
Warriors are not slaves.

And I am no warrior.

What do they say?
They say "here I am"
They say "there you are"
They say "look at me"
They say "look at you"

But if the tree does not respond to the wind
then the tree breaks
it is as if the wind says
"how are you"
and the tree says nothing
because it is broken
but the tree that sways responds
saying:
"I am fine, thanks for asking"

The devil was the wind
and the slaves had to sway
The devil angry, that he could not break them said
"your motion is too free"
and the slaves replied
"how can that be? we are only dancing"

Oh ginga, only dancing
only dancing so they say
while the wind would break their spirits
if their spirits did not sway

My spirit keeps swaying
even when the body stops
and the world says to me
"your mind is too free"
And I respond
"it is only dancing"

It is only dancing.
And the music never stops.