Canção do Exílio

poem by Gonƈlaves Dias

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July 19, 2026

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"Canção do Exílio" is a poem by Brazilian Romantic poet Antônio Gonçalves Dias written in 1843. The poem, which begins with the line "Minha terra tem palmeiras" ("My land has palm trees"), expresses a deep longing for his homeland. Dias, who spent much of his life abroad, celebrated Brazil's natural beauty and unique spirit in his work.

"Canção do Exílio" became a sort of national anthem for Brazil, reflecting the nationalist sentiments of the Romantic period in Brazilian literature. This era, inspired by European Romanticism, focused on themes of nationalism, primitivism, and Indianism, glorifying Brazil's tropical landscape and its indigenous peoples. Dias's poem is a prime example of this literary movement, capturing the patriotic image of the homeland with exuberance and nostalgia.12

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Brazilian literature
Nationalism and Romanticism
His poem “Canção do Exílio” (1843; “Song of Exile”), which manifests a deep-rooted nostalgia for his homeland, became a national anthem of sorts. The other significant poet of this period is Antônio de Castro Alves, who wrote antislavery poetry that was later collected in O navio negreiro…
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His poem “Canção do Exílio” (1843; “Song of Exile”), which manifests a deep-rooted nostalgia for his homeland, became a national anthem of sorts. The other significant poet of this period is Antônio de Castro Alves, who wrote antislavery poetry that was later collected in O navio negreiro…
Read More

Antônio Gonçalves Dias
His “Canção do Exílio” (1843; “Song of Exile”), beginning “Minha terra tem palmeiras” (“My land has palm trees”), is known to every Brazilian schoolchild.
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His “Canção do Exílio” (1843; “Song of Exile”), beginning “Minha terra tem palmeiras” (“My land has palm trees”), is known to every Brazilian schoolchild.
Read More