Thursday, 15 January 2009

Samba - references

This is a song by Cartola, one of the most important Brazilian samba composer. This song is called "O mundo é um moinho" (The world is a mill) and it's a song that he did for his daughter that, by the age of 16, decided to became a prostitute.
It is a very beautiful and sad song, I wish you could understand his words... But at least you can listen!

http://www.goear.com/listen.php?v=17028c1

1 comment:

Kay said...

Beautiful song, Nat! Even without understanding the lyrics, I could sense the sorrow in the man's voice. I did end up searching for the translation and was even more convicted by the sadness of this father's words, singing for his daughter.

Here is the English translation and original lyrics:

Translation:

It's still early, love.
You've barely started to know life,
You already announce the hour of departure
Without even knowing the direction you'll take.

Pay attention, dear,
Although I know that you made up your mind
In each corner falls a little your life
Soon you'll no longer be what you are.

Listen carefully, love.
Pay attention, the world is a mill.
It will grind your paltry dreams,
It will reduce your illusions to dust.

Pay attention, dear.
From each love, you'll inherit only cynicism.
When you notice, you're at the edge of the abyss.
Abyss you dug with your own feet.

Original lyrics:

O mundo é um moinho

Ainda é cedo, amor.
Mal começaste a conhecer a vida,
Já anuncias a hora de partida
Sem saber mesmo o rumo que irás tomar.

Preste atenção, querida,
Embora eu saiba que estás resolvida.
Em cada esquina cai um pouco tua vida.
Em pouco tempo não serás mais o que és.

Ouça-me bem, amor.
Preste atenção, o mundo é um moinho.
Vai triturar teus sonhos tão mesquinhos,
Vai reduzir as ilusões a pó.

Preste atenção, querida.
De cada amor tu herdarás só o cinismo.
Quando notares estás à beira do abismo.
Abismo que cavaste com teus pés.