Alceu Valenca was born in countryside Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. He is considered the most successful artist in achieving an aesthetic balance between traditional northeastern Brazilian music and a broad range of electronic sounds and effects from pop music. One can find traces of maracatu, coco and "repentes de viola" (improvising fast-paced Brazilian folk music) in most of his songs. Alceu was able to utilize the electric guitar the electric bass, and lately even a synthesizer was added to his broad scope of musical instruments.
Because of that, Alceu was able to recreate Northeastern traditional music, like baiao, coco, toada, maracatu, frevo, caboclinhos, embolada and repentes: all sung with a sometimes rock sometimes alternative sounding music background. His music and his themes are intangible, universal and unlimited. However, his aesthetic basis is genuinely Brazilian Northeastern music.
Guerreiro
Alceu Valença Lyrics
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Numa nuvem clara
Espero sentado
Você vai pagar
Do verão pro inverno
Eu não perco a calma
Vou beber a lágrima
Que você chorar
Tô cobrando meu troco
Rogando uma praga
Um rio de mágoa
Você vai chorar
Sou um poço de sede
Cacimba sem água
Vou beber a lágrima
Que você chorar
These lyrics are from the song "Guerreiro" by Alceu Valença. The beginning of the song talks about how the singer has drawn the face of the person he is addressing on a clear cloud, implying that he knows the person very well. The lyrics then go on to say that he is waiting for this person to "pay" for what they have done to him. The singer seems to have been wronged by this person and is seeking revenge. He then goes on to say that he does not lose his calmness even as the seasons change and that he will even drink the tears that this person will shed as he seeks revenge.
The chorus of the song talks about how the singer is out for revenge and he is going to make sure that the person pays for their misdeeds. He is demanding his due and wishes ill fortune on the person. The second verse expands on this, with the singer being portrayed as a well of thirst, seeking to drink the person's tears. He describes himself as a dry well seeking water, implying that this person has caused him a lot of pain and suffering. The theme of revenge is prevalent throughout the song, with the singer vowing to make the person pay for what they have done to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Desenhei o seu rosto Numa nuvem clara Espero sentado Você vai pagar
I vividly remember your face and sit patiently, waiting for the moment when you will pay for what you've done.
Do verão pro inverno Eu não perco a calma Vou beber a lágrima Que você chorar
Even as the seasons change and times become harder, I remain calm and resolute, committed to savoring every tear that you shed.
Tô cobrando meu troco Rogando uma praga Um rio de mágoa Você vai chorar
I seek retribution, and pray for your downfall, hoping that a flood of your own sorrow will overwhelm you.
Sou um poço de sede Cacimba sem água Vou beber a lágrima Que você chorar
I am thirsty for justice, but find at every turn that I am always denied my rightful due. Instead, I will drink deeply from the tears that you shed.
Contributed by Madison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.