Admiravel Gado Novo
Alceu Valença Elba Ramalho Geraldo Azevedo Zé Ramalho Lyrics
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Que passa nos projetos do futuro
É duro tanto ter que caminhar
E dar muito mais do que receber
E ter que demonstrar sua coragem
À margem do que possa parecer
E ver que toda essa engrenagem
Já sente a ferrugem lhe comer
Povo marcado
Êh, povo feliz!
Lá fora faz um tempo confortável
A vigilância cuida do normal
Os automóveis ouvem a notícia
Os homens a publicam no jornal
E correm através da madrugada
A única velhice que chegou
Demoram-se na beira da estrada
E passam a contar o que sobrou!
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Povo marcado
Êh, povo feliz!
O povo foge da ignorância
Apesar de viver tão perto dela
E sonham com melhores tempos idos
Contemplam esta vida numa cela
Esperam nova possibilidade
De verem esse mundo se acabar
A arca de Noé, o dirigível
Não voam, nem se pode flutuar
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Povo marcado
Êh, povo feliz!
In "Admirável gado novo," the Brazilian artists paint a picture of the challenges faced by the masses who are trying to make their way through the modern world. The song speaks to the difficulty of living in a society where one is constantly expected to work harder than they can receive and to show their courage in a world that often seems to be pitted against them.
The lyrics begin by addressing the "masses" who are trying to move forward into the future, yet find themselves struggling to make progress. The song highlights the imbalance of having to give much more than one receives and the constant need to demonstrate courage in the face of adversity. Despite this struggle, the people are branded as "happy."
The second verse turns to the idea that while things might be comfortable outside, there is always a sense that something is not quite right. The surveillance state is described, with people running through the night to deliver news that has been published in the paper. The people in this world are left with little time to reflect on what they have lost, with only a sense of what has remained.
The final verse speaks to the idea of holding onto hope for the future, despite everything. The people refuse to live in ignorance of their situation, dreaming of a time when things will be better despite being trapped in a jail cell. Despite the challenges, they hold onto hope for a different kind of world, one where they can soar above and beyond the limitations of the present.
Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on the struggles and challenges of modern life, filled with images of the everyday and the extraordinary. It is a powerful message of hope and resistance in the face of oppression and adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Vocês que fazem parte dessa massa
A song addressing those who make up the masses.
Que passa nos projetos do futuro
Those who are part of the plans for the future.
É duro tanto ter que caminhar
It's hard to have to keep walking.
E dar muito mais do que receber
And give much more than receiving.
E ter que demonstrar sua coragem
And to have to demonstrate courage.
À margem do que possa parecer
Even if it might seem otherwise.
E ver que toda essa engrenagem
And to see that this whole machine.
Já sente a ferrugem lhe comer
Is already rusting away.
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Oh, life of cattle.
Povo marcado
Marked people.
Êh, povo feliz!
Oh, happy people!
Lá fora faz um tempo confortável
Outside it's a comfortable weather.
A vigilância cuida do normal
Surveillance takes care of what's normal.
Os automóveis ouvem a notícia
Cars listen to the news.
Os homens a publicam no jornal
Men publish it on the newspaper.
E correm através da madrugada
They run through the dawn.
A única velhice que chegou
The only old age that arrived.
Demoram-se na beira da estrada
They linger by the side of the road.
E passam a contar o que sobrou!
And start telling what's left!
O povo foge da ignorância
People try to escape ignorance.
Apesar de viver tão perto dela
Even though they live so close to it.
E sonham com melhores tempos idos
And dream of better times in the past.
Contemplam esta vida numa cela
They contemplate this life from a cell.
Esperam nova possibilidade
They hope for a new possibility.
De verem esse mundo se acabar
To see this world come to an end.
A arca de Noé, o dirigível
Noah's ark, the dirigible.
Não voam, nem se pode flutuar
They can't fly or float.
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Oh, life of cattle.
Povo marcado
Marked people.
Êh, povo feliz!
Oh, happy people!
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.