Bau's father made stringed instruments in Mindelo and, for Bau's seventh birthday, gave him his first instrument---a cavaquinho, which is a small four-stringed guitar, similar to a ukulele, used in Brazil and in Cape Verde to mark the beat. Bau's father taught him how to make guitars, cavaquinhos, violins, and also how to play them. Bau continues to master his musical skills, combining instrumental virtuosity with a self-taught and instinctive sensitivity. He plays the cavaquinho, both ten- and twelve-string guitar, and violin.
In 1994, Bau joined the band that accompanied Cesária Évora on stage. He became her director of musical formation in 1996, serving in that capacity until 1999, when he returned home to Mindelo in Cape Verde, and continues to record.
Bau
Bau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bila dunia tak lagi untukku
Sampai waktunya aku sendiri
Hidup yang aku tak pasti
Langkahku terhenti
Tak mampu berlari
Saat tangan yang digengam
Aku bernafas tanpa udara
Tangisku tiada air mata
Oh kerana semuanya berlalu
Menghilang dan tak akan kembali
Ku cuba menutup mataku
Bilaku lelah untuk hidup
Namun semuanya berubah di saat engkau hadir
Oooooooooooooo...
Kau yang anggun
Kau yang telah membuat ku kembali
Ke jasadku yang telah mati dan kau sinarku
Cahaya yang terang
Untuk perjalanan yang lurus ini
Dunia sementara
Mengejar masa itu pasti
Buat aku
Dan bersyukurku adaNya.
The song "Bau" by Bau is a poignant reflection on the uncertainties of life and the fragility of relationships. The lyrics speak of the singer's reluctance to accept that the world may not be for them anymore, even though their heart is unwilling to let go. They come to a realization that they're on their own until the end of time, and their future is uncertain. The singer feels lost and unable to function when the person they depended on for support suddenly lets go of their hand. They're left breathless and crying without tears, struggling to come to terms with the fact that everything they cherished is now gone forever.
The second verse speaks of the singer's desperate attempt to find meaning in all this chaos. They try to close their eyes and retreat from the world, but everything changes when the person they love comes back into their life. They describe their love interest as someone who is both graceful and full of life, someone who has brought them back from the dead. Their love is a guiding light that has given them direction and purpose in life, leading them on towards a straight path. They acknowledge the fleeting nature of the world and how we must cherish every moment before it fades away.
Line by Line Meaning
Meski hati tak rela
Even though my heart is unwilling
Bila dunia tak lagi untukku
If the world is no longer for me
Sampai waktunya aku sendiri
Until the time when I'm alone
Hidup yang aku tak pasti
A life that I'm unsure of
Langkahku terhenti
My steps are halted
Tak mampu berlari
I am unable to run
Saat tangan yang digengam
When the hand I'm holding
Engkau lepaskan
You let go
Aku bernafas tanpa udara
I'm breathing without air
Tangisku tiada air mata
My cries have no tears
Oh kerana semuanya berlalu
Oh because everything has passed
Menghilang dan tak akan kembali
Disappeared and won't come back
Ku cuba menutup mataku
I try to close my eyes
Bilaku lelah untuk hidup
When I'm tired of living
Namun semuanya berubah di saat engkau hadir
But everything changes when you're here
Oooooooooooooo...
Kau yang anggun
You, who are graceful
Kau yang telah membuat ku kembali
You, who have made me return
Ke jasadku yang telah mati dan kau sinarku
To my dead body, and you, my light
Cahaya yang terang
The bright light
Untuk perjalanan yang lurus ini
For this straight journey
Dunia sementara
The world is temporary
Mengejar masa itu pasti
Chasing time is certain
Buat aku
For me
Dan bersyukurku adaNya.
And I'm grateful for His presence.
Writer(s): Almeida Correi Da Costa Hernani
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ichinaru31
So "Bau Bau" is just another way of calling Gura a stinky shark
Riz (The comment Necromancer)
I mean........... technically Bau is stinky in Bahasa..........
rssyng
what bahasa
Ichinaru31
@Riz (The comment Necromancer) wait, what...?
Soft & Wet:Go Beyond Act 4 Requiem
@rssyngIndonesia and Malay, both of it
Soft & Wet:Go Beyond Act 4 Requiem
@Ichinaru31read my other reply
Iron Clad
It's amazing how catchy but simple "Bau Bau" is. It's just so nice to hear and say.
ivanbluecool
Fuwamoco said "it's bau bauing time"
Alex Kemplen
And then they Bau'd all over the place
DBT
Truly the Bau of all time