Having worked as a composer and also as the consultant on Northeastern language on the awarded film O Cangaceiro (by Lima Barreto, 1953, winner of the Great Prize at the Cannes Festival as the best film), Zé do Norte became internationally famous for his song "Mulher Rendeira" (an adaptation of a theme attributed to Virgulino Ferreira, the Lampião himself). He also wrote the classic "Sodade Meu Bem, Sodade" (included on the same soundtrack, recorded by Vanja Orico), re-recorded by several interpreters including Nana Caymmi and Maria Bethânia.
Having had a poor and suffering ...