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.
Primeiro de maio
Chico Buarque Lyrics
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E ele apressa a caminhada
Pra acordar a namorada logo ali
E vai sorrindo, vai aflito
Pra mostrar, cheio de si
Que hoje ele é senhor das suas mãos
E das ferramentas
Ela acorda mais bonita
Sua pele é sua chita, seu fustão
E, bem ou mal, é seu veludo
É o tafetá que Deus lhe deu
E é vendido o fruto do suor
Do trabalho que é só seu
Hoje eles hão de consagrar
O dia inteiro pra se amar tanto
Ele, o artesão
Faz dentro dela a sua oficina
E ela, a tecelã
Vai fiar nas malhar do seu ventre
O homem de amanhã
The lyrics in this song, "Primeiro De Maio," by Chico Buarque feat. Milton Nascimento, depict a couple's anticipation and celebration of Labor Day. The first verse describes the city in a state of stillness as the singer rushes to wake up his lover. He walks anxiously, trying to assert his dominance by showing off his hands and tools, symbolizing his labor power. This suggests that on this day, he feels in control of his work and his life.
In the second verse, the sirens don't interrupt their peaceful awakening. The singer notices his lover's beauty as she wakes up. Her skin is compared to a colorful fabric, "chita" and "fustão," which may represent the diversity and richness of their relationship. Whether good or bad, the fabric of their love feels like a luxurious velvet or taffeta. It implies that no matter the circumstances, their love and their work are their own, and they take pride in the fruits of their efforts.
The chorus alludes to the couple consecrating the entire day to love each other. In this context, the singer is portrayed as an artisan, an artist, who uses his partner's body as his workshop. He molds, creates, and shapes within her, symbolizing the intimacy and closeness they share. On the other hand, the woman is depicted as a weaver, spinning and weaving their future child within the fabric of her being. It showcases her role as a creator and nurturer, playing a vital part in shaping the "man of tomorrow."
Overall, these lyrics celebrate Labor Day as a day of asserting one's control over their work and life. The couple in the song find joy and pride in their labor, recognizing the value of their individual talents. They depict an intimate and loving relationship where the act of creation extends from the workshop to the creation of life itself. Through these verses, the song emphasizes the importance of work and love in shaping both the individual and future generations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Francisco Buarque, Milton Nascimento
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind