Veloso is the fifth of the seven children born to José Telles Veloso ("Seu Zezinho") and Claudionor Vianna Telles Veloso ("Dona Canô"). His younger sister Maria Bethânia, another popular and renowned artist in Brazil, preceded him to fame as a singer in the mid-1960s. He began his career around 1965 singing bossa nova and he has cited his greatest musical influences from his early period as João Gilberto and Dorival Caymmi. (João Gilberto would say later about Caetano's contribution that it added an intellectual dimension to brazilian popular music.) But with such musical collaborators Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tom Zé, Chico Buarque, and Os Mutantes, and greatly influenced by the later work of The Beatles, developed tropicalismo, which fused Brazilian pop with rock and roll and avant garde art music resulting in a more international, psychedelic, and socially aware sound. Veloso's politically active stance, unapologetically leftist, earned him the enmity of Brazil's military dictatorship which ruled until 1985; his songs were frequently censored, and some were banned. Veloso was also alienated from the socialist left in Brazil becasue of his acceptance and integration of non-nationalist influences (like rock and roll) in his music. Veloso and Gilberto Gil spent several months in jail for "anti-government activity" in 1968 and eventually exiled themselves to London. Caetano Veloso's work upon his return in 1972 was often characterized by frequent appropriations not only of international styles, but of half-forgotten Brazilian folkloric styles and rhythms as well. In particular, his celebration of the Afro-Brazilian culture of Bahia can be seen as the precursor of such Afro-centric groups as Timbalada.
In the 1980s, Veloso's popularity outside Brazil grew, especially in Israel, Portugal, France and Africa. By 2004, he was one of the most respected and prolific international pop stars, with more than fifty recordings available, including songs in soundtracks of movies such as Pedro Almodovar's Hable con Ella (Talk to Her), and Frida. In 2002 Veloso published an account of his early years and the Tropicalia movement, Tropical Truth: A Story of Music and Revolution in Brazil.
His first all-English CD was A Foreign Sound (2004), which covers Nirvana's "Come as You Are" and compositions from the Great American Songbook. Five of the six songs on his third eponymous album, released in 1971, were also in English.
Ave Maria
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
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Gratia plena, ave
Dominus tecum
Dominus tecum, tecum
Benedicta tu
In mulieribus, tu
Benedictus fructus
Sancta Maria
Sancta Maria
Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis
Ora pro nobis
Peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora, hora
Nunc et in hora, hora
Hora mortis, nostrae
Nostrae, amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
The song "Ave Maria" by Caetano Veloso is a Portuguese version of the traditional Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, invoking Mary's name with the phrase "Ave Maria, Maria" multiple times. The phrase "Ave Maria" means "Hail Mary" and is a common greeting in Catholicism. The lyrics then continue to praise Mary, calling her "gracious" and saying that she is blessed among women. The song also honors Mary's son, Jesus, referring to him as the "fruit of your womb."
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to asking Mary to pray for sinners. The use of repetition in the lyrics emphasizes the importance of this request, asking for her intercession "now and at the hour of our death." The song ends with the word "Amen," which means "so be it" and is used to affirm the prayer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ave Maria" reflect the important role that Mary plays in Catholicism. As the mother of Jesus, she is highly revered and believed to have the power to intercede on behalf of believers. The repetition in the lyrics emphasizes the importance of asking for her help, both in life and in death.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh oh
Expressing a deep sense of emotion and admiration.
Ave Maria, Maria
Addressing the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Repeatedly greeting and showing devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Maria, Maria
Using the name of the Virgin Mary to express reverence and respect.
Gratia plena, ave
Recognizing the Virgin Mary as being full of grace.
Dominus tecum
Addressing God's presence with the Virgin Mary.
Dominus tecum, tecum
Emphasizing and acknowledging the closeness and intimacy of God's relationship with the Virgin Mary.
Benedicta tu, in mulieribus
Praising and blessing the Virgin Mary among all women.
Benedictus fructus ventris tuis Jesu Jesu
Recognizing and blessing Jesus, the fruit of the Virgin Mary's womb.
Sancta Maria
Addressing the Virgin Mary as a holy and sacred figure.
Mater Dei
Recognizing the Virgin Mary as the mother of God.
Ora, pro nobis, ora, pro nobis
Praying and asking the Virgin Mary to intercede on behalf of sinners.
Pecatoribus
Addressing sinners who are seeking salvation through prayer and the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Nunc et in hora, hora
Praying and asking for the Virgin Mary's intercession in the present moment and at the hour of death.
Hora mortis nostra, nostre
Asking for the Virgin Mary's intercession at the moment of death for both the person praying and for all sinners.
Amem, Amem, Amem, Amem
Expressing faith and belief in the power of prayer and the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Caetano Veloso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind