Listen here to the samba song of the Rio Samba School Uniao da Ilha. Just click on the music player on the side.

Samba School Uniao da Ilha

Estrada do Galeão 322
Ilha do Governador

Samba nights:
Tuesdays 20:00, Saturdays 22:00

Colors: blue, red and white
Established in 1953

2013 parading time

Samba School Uniao da Ilha is mainly known for its irreverent themes.

It all began when a group of friends, watching their island's (Ilha do Governador) street bands and smaller samba schools, decided that their district should also have a proper samba school to represent them. It had remained among the less significant second and third "class" samba schools for some time until 1974, when it eventually came first in the Access Group. Consequently, in the following year, it could finally participate in the Special Group's Samba Parade.

Having produced many great parades and paying special attention to its public relations, the school has turned into one of the Special Group's most likable samba schools. It has taken to the Avenue some frivolous, cheerful and lively parades, which has become the school's hallmark. The school's costumes are usually light, without much metalwork or extension, making the marchers' parade easier.

Although it has never been a champion in the Special Group, it has composed one of the most popular samba songs still played and sung today, such as 1977's "Sunday" and "Good, Nice and even Cheap" in 1980. 1982's samba song: "Is today really The day?" became one of the most remembered songs in the Rio Carnival history.

Uniao da Ilha

Theme: "From London to Rio: Once upon a time... an island..."

Composers: Marquinhos do Banjo, Alberto Varjao, Eduardo,
Alan das Candongas, Marcio Andre Filho, Carlinhos Fuzil,
Fabiano Fernandes, Aloisio Villar, Cadinho e Roger Linhares

Lyrics of the Samba Song

Uma historia vou contar
Tem lendas, mitos e magias
Era uma ilha… onde um povo valente vivia
E um grande imperio conquistou
Virou cidade das realezas
O reino unido e seus herois
“Peguem as armas” diz a voz
De um santo guerreiro
Os bravos vao lutar, cruzar fronteiras
Com sua fe estampada na bandeira

Vou botar molho ingles na feijoada
Misturar cha com cachaca
"Ser ou nao ser, eis a questao!"
Tem choro e riso nesse palco de ilusao

Vao dominar o mar e grandes tesouros
Guiados pelos olhos da ciencia
Lindos contos vao brotar…
A luz do cinema e a arte a brilhar
Olha, bicho, paz e amor suingou
Batuquei meu samba com rock n`roll
Na minha terra tem o reino da folia
Futebol que contagia… E gol!
E a vitoria, um momento divinal
Acendo a chama pela paz universal

A minha Ilha e ouro e prata
Tem o bronze da mulata
Canta meu Rio, em verso e prosa
Com a cidade ainda mais maravilhosa

2013 Parading Theme

"From London to Rio: Once upon a time... an island..."

União da Ilha will bring as theme the 2013 Olympic Games. The United Kingdom, its culture and history will be represented on Sambadrome by the components of this nice samba school. Through the parade, they will also build an imaginary bridge between London and Rio, city that will host the 2016 Olympic Games.