Homenagem Ao Malandro
Chico Buarque (1978 - Chico Buarque) Lyrics

The lyrics of Chico Buarque's song "Homenagem ao Malandro" tell the story of a man who sets out to write a samba song in honor of the truest form of the "malandro," a stereotypical figure of Brazilian culture known as the clever and streetwise trickster who always manages to find a way out of a bind. However, as the singer ventures into the Lapa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, where he expected to find the epitome of malandragem, he discovers that the old-school malandro no longer exists. Instead, he encounters a new breed of malandro who is professional, polished, and has all the trappings of a high-ranking government official or wealthy businessperson. These new malandros have forsaken their rough and tumble origins and have instead embraced the trappings of the mainstream society in which they now operate.

The singer laments the fact that the true malandro no longer exists, and that the new breed has lost its authenticity and street smarts. He recognizes, however, that there are still a few genuine malandros out there who have chosen to live quiet, unremarkable lives. They have retired their knives, found love, started families, and have become ordinary citizens. They no longer need to rely on their streetwise gigs to survive, but they still harbor their craftiness and ingenuity, keeping it hidden from the mainstream world.

Overall, the song is a tribute to the original, streetwise “malandro” and his fading legacy, as well as a commentary on the state of Brazilian society, where the lines between the establishment and the underground have become blurred.