Pelas Sombras
Arthur Verocai Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Quem Viaja Nas Sombras
Por Detrás Dos Seus Ombros
Por Detrás Desta Blusa De Lã
Ensaiando A Morte
Encolhendo O Corpo
Pro Seu Bote Ou Golpe Final
Sim
Mais Uma Vez

Outra Vez
É Manhã
Tomo Um Banho Inteiro
Com As Águas De Cheiro
Ainda sonhando as fronhas
Do hotel
Sim
Mais uma vez
Outra vez
É manhã

É manhã
É Manhã

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Arthur Verocai’s song Pelas Sombras, specifically the refrain “Quem Viaja Nas Sombras Por Detrás Dos Seus Ombros”, roughly translate to “Who travels in the shadows behind their shoulders”. The song seems to be referencing someone struggling with the idea of mortality and contemplating their own death. The line “Ensaiando A Morte” or “Rehearsing for Death” suggests that the subject of the song is preparing themselves for the inevitable.

The following verses describe a morning routine where the subject of the song takes a shower with “Águas De Cheiro” or “Perfume Waters”. This cleansing ritual could represent an attempt to start anew and move past the dark thoughts of mortality explored in the earlier verse. The final repetition of “É manhã” or “It’s morning” represents the idea of new beginnings and a fresh start.

Line by Line Meaning

Quem Viaja Nas Sombras
Someone is traveling through shadows

Por Detrás Dos Seus Ombros
Behind their shoulders

Por Detrás Desta Blusa De Lã
Behind this woolen sweater

Ensaiando A Morte
Rehearsing death

Encolhendo O Corpo
Curling up their body

Pro Seu Bote Ou Golpe Final
For their final move

Sim
Yes

Mais Uma Vez
One more time

Outra Vez
Again

É Manhã
It's morning

Tomo Um Banho Inteiro
I take a full shower

Com As Águas De Cheiro
With scented water

Ainda sonhando as fronhas
Still dreaming of the pillowcases

Do hotel
From the hotel

É manhã
It's morning

É Manhã
It's morning

Writer(s): Arthur Cortes Verocai, Vitor Martins

Contributed by Hannah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Born Arthur Cortes Verocai in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 17/6/1945, he studied music with Lô Soares, Darci Villaverde, Nair Barbosa da Silva, Roberto Menescal and Vilma Graça. In 1966 Leny Andrade included his song "Olhando o Mar" ("Looking at the Sea") on her "We Are There" album. Two years later Verocai participated in Musicanossa an event that brought together composers, musicians and singers in presentations to play live in the Santa Rosa Theater in Rio de Janeiro, for which he wrote his first arrangements. Read Full BioBorn Arthur Cortes Verocai in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 17/6/1945, he studied music with Lô Soares, Darci Villaverde, Nair Barbosa da Silva, Roberto Menescal and Vilma Graça. In 1966 Leny Andrade included his song "Olhando o Mar" ("Looking at the Sea") on her "We Are There" album. Two years later Verocai participated in Musicanossa an event that brought together composers, musicians and singers in presentations to play live in the Santa Rosa Theater in Rio de Janeiro, for which he wrote his first arrangements. The live recording of the event included the songs "Madrugada" and "Nova Manhã", composed in partnership with Paulinho Tapajós.
By 1968 his main gig was working in Civil Engineering in Rio de Janeiro. He still managed to perform and participate as a composer at many of Brazilian famous Music Festivals. He was working with artists like Paulinho Tapajós, Elis Regina, Creuza Maria, the Golden Boys, and Evinha. In 1969 Arthur Verocai began his professional career as musician and arranger. He scored the music for the theater show "Is The Greater", and wrote his first arrangements for orchestra. He arranged records by the Terço, Jorge Benjor, Elizeth Cardoso, Gal Costa, Quarteto em Cy, MPB 4, Célia, Guilherme Lamounier, Nelson Gonçalves, Marcos Valle, and others. His music also appeared in the musical "The Life of Braguinha", alongside Elizeth Cardoso, Quarteto em Cy, MPB4 and Sidney Magal. By 1970 he was writing for other groups and regularly composing music for multiple TV shows and incidental music for TV series.
The 1972 self-titled album allowed Verocai to take his interest in instrumental music even further. "I always wanted to compose soundtracks in great style, as in the cinema, but this wasn't possible with television work," he says. "My opportunity came when I was recording this album. I created a rhythmic cell in the acoustic guitar with the harmonic line. I added bass and the non-conventional drums and the percussion with a very smooth orchestration in blocks (four trumpets and a flute) plus the delicate touch of the strings (12 violins, 4 violas and 4 cellos). At the end of the song, Oberdan Magalhães played and sang with his flute." The resulting track is "Sílvia".
"Presente Grego" is perhaps the funkiest track on the album. "This song was influenced by American soul and funk," says Verocai. "By 1972 many of the musicians of my generation were feeling the same influences. Because of our exposure to all many musical influences, we put a distance between us and the conventional recording styles. "Presente Grego" means "Greek gift." It is an expression that comes from the horse of Troy, a gift from the Greeks that hid the warriors that defeated the Troyans. Likewise, the military dictatorship, under the appearance of a good government, practiced censorship and oppression", he explains.
In addition to the funky soul elements the album features many solos from artists obviously well schooled in Jazz. Check the soloing in "Pelas Sombras" or "Karina", where saxes blow hard and true against the backdrop of Brazilian rhythms. "My musical preferences go from J.S. Bach and Villa-Lobos, to jazz musicians like Tom Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Wes Montgomery and Bill Evans," explains Verocai. "I remember Edson Maciel, was invited to a studio session at 9 AM and was to perform a solo on "Karina." He asked us to wait for a while because he wanted to be inspired by some Cachaça (a Brazilian liquor made from distilled sugar cane juice). While rehearsing, he asked for a little more Cachaça to bring on some more inspiration. This happened twice until he found his inspiration and performed a tremendous solo!" remembers Verocai.
In the years after the album release Arthur Verocai became a music advertising executive, creating and producing albums for customers like Brahma, Fanta, Petrobra's, South America, Souza Cruz and was even honored with the Colunistas Prize in Advertising. Since 1983 he is the main proprietor of Studio "V" - House of the Sound and in 2002 he released a solo album "Arthur Verocai - "Saudade Demais" featuring a collection of his work as composer, including some unreleased songs.
Arthur Verocai's musical peer Ivan Lins has this to say about his great friend, "Arthur is a very dedicated musician. He has always been. Not only dedicated but very talented also. He made this record years ago just for the fun of it without much publicity. And now will strike back. That's great!"