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Meaning title: The drunk and the tightrope walker / De dronkaard en de koorddanser
Music & lyrics: João Bosco & Aldir Blanc
Performance: Elis Regina
Português
Caía a tarde feito um viaduto
E um bêbado trajando luto
me lembrou Carlitos.
A lua tal qual a dona do bordel
pedia a cada estrela fria um brilho de aluguel.
E nuvens lá no mata-borrão do céu
chupavam manchas torturadas,
que sufoco louco.
O bêbado com chapéu coco
fazia irreverências mil
prá noite do Brasil, meu Brasil
que sonha com a volta do irmão do Henfil
com tanta gente que partiu
num rabo de foguete.
Chora a nossa pátria mãe gentil
Choram Marias e Clarisses no solo do Brasil
Mas sei que uma dor assim pungente
não há de ser inutilmente.
A esperança dança
na corda bamba de sombrinha.
E em cada passo dessa linha
pode se machucar.
Azar, a esperança equilibrista
sabe que o show de todo artista
tem que continuar.
English
The evening fell like a viaduct (1)
And a drunk in mourning suit
reminded me of Charlie Chaplin.
The moon, like a brothel madam
asked from each cold star a rented shine.
And clouds up there in the blotting paper of the sky
sucked up tortured stains,
what crazy anguish.
The drunk with the bowler hat
was being extremely irreverent
to Brazil’s night, my Brazil
that dreams of the return of Henfil’s brother (2)
with so many people who left
without notice.
Our gentle homeland is crying
Marias and Clarices are crying on Brazil’s soil
But I know that a pain this sharp
won’t be in vain.
Hope dances
on the tightrope with an umbrella.
And with each step on this rope
he might be hurt.
Too bad, cause the tightrope walking hope
knows that each artist’s show
must go on.
(1) This line refers to the viaduct Viaduto Engenheiro Freyssinet, popularly known as Viaduto da Paulo de Frontin in Rio de Janeiro. In 1971 it collapsed during its construction resulting in 26 deaths and 22 injuries.
(2) Henfil (nickname for Henrique de Souza Filho) was a Brazilian cartoonist who made critical cartoons during the militar dictatorship.
His brother Betinho (nickname for Herbert José de Sousa) whom is being referenced in this song, was a Brazilian activist during the militar dictatorshop and had to live in exile.
Nederlands
De avond viel als een viaduct
En een dronkaard in rouwkleren
deed mij denken aan Charlie Chaplin.
De maan, als een hoerenmadam
vroeg aan iedere koude ster een gehuurde glans.
En wolken daar in het vloeipapier van de hemel
zogen gemartelde vlekken op,
wat een waanzinnige beklemming.
De dronkaard met de bolhoed
was extreem oneerbiedig
tegen Brazilië's nacht, mijn Brazilië
die droomt over de terugkeer van Henfil's broer
met zovelen die vertrokken
met de noorderzon.
Ons lieve vaderland huilt
Marias en Clarisses huilen op Brazilië's grond
Maar ik weet dat een pijn zo scherp
niet voor niets zal zijn.
De hoop danst
op het slappe koord met een parapluutje.
En met iedere stap op dit koord
kan hij zich bezeren.
Pech dan, want de koorddansende hoop
weet dat de show van iedere artiest
door moet gaan.
Henfil with a cartoon (the drunk with the bowler hat?) saying: "Rights now!"
Cartoon of Henfil, the text says: "I see some hope!"
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