Quem te viu, Quem te vê

One of my favorite songs by Chico...full of saudade, full of emotions hidden behind the wonderful words...

Quem te viu, quem te vê (Chico Buarque)

Você era a mais bonita das cabrochas dessa ala

Você era a favorita onde eu era mestre-sala

Hoje a gente nem se fala, mas a festa continua

Suas noites são de gala, nosso samba ainda é na rua

Hoje o samba saiu procurando você

Quem te viu, quem te vê

Quem não a conhece não pode mais ver pra crer

Quem jamais a esquece não pode reconhecer

Quando o samba começava, você era a mais brilhante

E se a gente se cansava, você só seguia adiante

Hoje a gente anda distante do calor do seu gingado

Você só dá chá dançante onde eu não sou convidado

Hoje o samba saiu procurando você

Quem te viu, quem te vê

Quem não a conhece não pode mais ver pra crer

Quem jamais a esquece não pode reconhecer

Todo ano eu lhe fazia uma cabrocha de alta classe

De dourado eu lhe vestia pra que o povo admirasse

Eu não sei bem com certeza porque foi que um belo dia

Quem brincava de princesa acostumou na fantasia

Hoje o samba saiu procurando você

Quem te viu, quem te vê

Quem não a conhece não pode mais ver pra crer

Quem jamais a esquece não pode reconhecer

Hoje eu vou sambar na pista, você vai de galeria

Quero que você assista na mais fina companhia

Se você sentir saudade, por favor não dê na vista

Bate palmas com vontade, faz de conta que é turista

Hoje o samba saiu procurando você

Quem te viu, quem te vê

Quem não a conhece não pode mais ver pra crer

Quem jamais a esquece não pode reconhecer

He who was looking at you, Now looking for you (translated by KT)

You were the most beautiful among all those in the block

You were the favorite of all and I was your partner

Today we do not speak to each other at all, but the festa continues

In your nights of gala, our samba still pouring out of the streets

Today, the samba has left in search of you

He who was looking at you, now looking for you

He who doesn't know you cannot see to believe

He who cannot forget you won't be able to recognize you any more

When the samba started you were dazzling, brilliant as the diamond

Even if everyone got tired you kept on moving forward

Today I am left behind far away from the beautiful sway of yours  

You only do tea dance where someone like I would never be invited

Today, the samba has left in search of you

He who was looking at you, now looking for you

He who doesn't know you cannot see to believe

He who cannot forget you won't be able to recognize you any more

Every year I tried my best for you to look the most dazzling in the block

Dressing you up in gold and the people admired the beauty of yours

I really do not know what happened on that one fine day

The lady dressed up as a princess became accustomed to live in its fantasy

Today, the samba has left in search of you

He who was looking at you, now looking for you

He who doesn't know you cannot see to believe

He who cannot forget you won't be able to recognize you any more

I will samba in the center stage today, while you will be just a spectator among the gallery

Please do me a favor by seeing with your own eyes with the finest of your company

Even if you feel sentimental, please do not let it be visible

Just clap your hands as if you really mean it and act if you are a tourist

Today, the samba has left in search of you

He who was looking at you, now looking for you

He who doesn't know you cannot see to believe

He who cannot forget you won't be able to recognize you any more

The lyrics are from his acounstic version which he skips a verse.  The title in my opinion can be interpreted in another way as well - has anyone saw you, has anyone seen you - but I tend to interpret the way above given the saudade filled in this song, which I have felt so many times.