O Pato
Brasil '66 Lyrics

"O Pato" by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 is a lively and playful song that tells a humorous story of a group of birds who decide to join in on a samba dance. The song opens with a happy duck singing his heart out, and soon a smiling teal asks to join in on the dancing, followed by a goose who likes the look of the duo and declares himself eager to jump in as well. Finally, the swan is coaxed into the group so that they become a quartet. The four birds go down to the edge of a lagoon to practice their moves and start performing to the tune of the "Tico-Tico no Fubá." The duck's voice is a bit out of line with the rest, but the goose manages to keep pace. The surprise falls towards the end when they break out in song once again in the quacks, honks, and squawks that are typically heard from ducks, geese, and swans. They end up falling into the water, but they continue singing and rehearsing even there.

The song's playful and light feel is undoubtedly infectious and inspires a sense of whimsy and merriment in its listeners. One interpretation is that the different birds symbolize various social classes or ethnic groups, all joining together for a shared objective. Bird symbolism has an essential function in folklore and mythology, and this song carries with it a sense of amazement and wonder, suggesting the delight from discovering unexpected joy in life's little moments.