The firstborn son of Sérgio Buarque de Hollanda, Buarque lived at several locations throughout his childhood, though mostly in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Rome. He wrote and studied literature as a child and found music through the bossa nova compositions of Tom Jobim and João Gilberto. He performed as a singer and guitarist in the 1960s as well as writing a play that was deemed dangerous by the Brazilian military dictatorship of the time. Buarque, along with several Tropicalist and MPB musicians, was threatened by the Brazilian military government and eventually left Brazil for Italy in 1969. However, he came back to Brazil in 1970, and continued to record, perform, and write, though much of his material was suppressed by government censors. He released several more albums in the 1980s and published three novels in the 1990s and 2000s.
In 2019, Buarque was awarded the Camões Prize, the most important prize for literature in the Portuguese language.
Deus Lhe Pague
Chico Buarque Lyrics
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A certidão pra nascer, e a concessão pra sorrir
Por me deixar respirar, por me deixar existir
Deus lhe pague
Pelo prazer de chorar e pelo "estamos aí"
Pela piada no bar e o futebol pra aplaudir
Um crime pra comentar e um samba pra distrair
Por essa praia, essa saia, pelas mulheres daqui
O amor malfeito depressa, fazer a barba e partir
Pelo domingo que é lindo, novela, missa e gibi
Deus lhe pague
Pela cachaça de graça que a gente tem que engolir
Pela fumaça, desgraça, que a gente tem que tossir
Pelos andaimes, pingentes, que a gente tem que cair
Deus lhe pague
Por mais um dia, agonia, pra suportar e assistir
Pelo rangido dos dentes, pela cidade a zunir
E pelo grito demente que nos ajuda a fugir
Deus lhe pague
Pela mulher carpideira pra nos louvar e cuspir
E pelas moscas-bicheiras a nos beijar e cobrir
E pela paz derradeira que enfim vai nos redimir
Deus lhe pague
Deus lhe pague
Chico Buarque's song "Deus Lhe Pague" is a tribute to the everyday struggles of the Brazilian working class. The song expresses gratitude for the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter, and the permission to smile. The first stanza acknowledges the gift of life itself and the freedom to exist in the world. The second stanza speaks of the small joys that bring comfort to the daily struggles - like the pleasure of crying or laughing, and enjoying a football match or a night out with friends. The third stanza references the beauty of the country's landscape, its people, and culture, but also highlights the darker sides of life such as the pain of failed love affairs, the disappointment of casual partners, and the need to escape.
The fourth and fifth stanzas echo the harsh reality of poverty and the toll it takes on the body and mind. The lyrics describe the consumption of cheap alcohol, inhaling toxic smoke, and the dangerous work of construction sites. The penultimate stanza speaks about the daily grind of life, including the noise and chaos of the city, which can lead to anxiety and frustration. The last stanza includes two contrasting images - the paid mourners who praise and spit on those who have passed away, and the flies that cover and kiss their bodies. In the end, the song offers a message of hope for peace and redemption, through the divine act of "Deus lhe Pague" or God will repay.
Line by Line Meaning
Por esse pão pra comer, por esse chão pra dormir
I thank you for providing me with food to eat and a place to lay my head at night.
A certidão pra nascer, e a concessão pra sorrir
I thank you for the birth certificate that proves my existence and the ability to smile.
Por me deixar respirar, por me deixar existir
I thank you for allowing me to breathe and to simply exist.
Pelo prazer de chorar e pelo 'estamos aí'
I thank you for the ability to express my emotions and for the sense of camaraderie among us.
Pela piada no bar e o futebol pra aplaudir
I thank you for the moments of laughter and the ability to cheer for my favorite sports teams.
Um crime pra comentar e um samba pra distrair
I thank you for the opportunity to comment on current events, as well as the means to escape through music and dance.
Por essa praia, essa saia, pelas mulheres daqui
I thank you for the beauty of this beach, the clothing that adorns us, and the women who inhabit this place.
O amor malfeito depressa, fazer a barba e partir
I thank you for the fleeting moments of love, for the ability to groom ourselves, and the freedom to leave when necessary.
Pelo domingo que é lindo, novela, missa e gibi
I thank you for the beauty of Sundays, for the entertainment provided by television shows and comic books, and for the opportunity to practice our faith.
Pela cachaça de graça que a gente tem que engolir
I thank you for the alcohol that we are given and are forced to consume.
Pela fumaça, desgraça, que a gente tem que tossir
I thank you for the smoke and pollution that cause harm to our bodies and environment.
Pelos andaimes, pingentes, que a gente tem que cair
I thank you for the scaffolding and trinkets that often result in accidents and injury.
Por mais um dia, agonia, pra suportar e assistir
I thank you for the opportunity to endure another day, despite the struggles and hardships that come with it.
Pelo rangido dos dentes, pela cidade a zunir
I thank you for the sound of my teeth grinding and the constant noise pollution of this city.
E pelo grito demente que nos ajuda a fugir
I thank you for the moments of insanity that allow us to escape from reality.
Pela mulher carpideira pra nos louvar e cuspir
I thank you for the mourners who both praise and criticize us at our funerals.
E pelas moscas-bicheiras a nos beijar e cobrir
I thank you for the insects that swarm and consume us after death.
E pela paz derradeira que enfim vai nos redimir
I thank you for the ultimate peace that will finally redeem us.
Deus lhe pague
May God repay you for all that you have given and done for me.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Francisco Buarque de Hollanda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind