Raimundo Fagner Cândido Lopes (born in Orós, Ceará, October 13, 1949) is a … Read Full Bio ↴Raimundo Fagner Cândido Lopes (born in Orós, Ceará, October 13, 1949) is a Brazilian singer, composer, musician, actor and music producer. He is commonly known by the stage name Fagner.

The youngest of the five children of José Fares, Lebanese immigrant to Brazil, and Dona Francisca, Fagner was born in Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceará, although his birth was recorded in Orós.

At the age of five years he won a youth competition at a local radio station. As a teen, he formed vocal and instrumental groups and began to compose his own music. In 1968 he won the Festival de Música Popular do Ceará (Popular Music Festival of Ceará) with his song "Nada Sou" (I am Nothing).

In 1971 he moved to the capital Brasília, taking first place in the Festival de Música Popular do Centro de Estudos Universitários de Brasília (Popular Music Festival of the University Studies Center of Brasília) with his piece "Mucuripe" (with collaborator Belchior), which was later recorded by artist Elis Regina, and became Fagner's first notable success as a composer. He won prizes in other categories with additional pieces, as well.

He has had a distinguished career as a performer, singer, songwriter and composer for over 3 decades, and is also known for his collaborations with other MPB artists such as Caetano Veloso, Roberta Miranda, Chico Buarque and others.

A Palo Seco
Fagner Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Se você vier me perguntar por ande andei
No tempo em que você sonhava
De olhos abertos te direi, amigo eu me desesperava
Sei que assim falando pensas que este desespero é moda em 73
E eu ando um pouco descontente
Desesperadamente eu falo em português
Tenho 25 anos de sonho e de sangue e de América do Sul
Mas por força do meu destino

Um tango argentino me pega bem melhor que um blues

Sei que assim falando pensas que este desespero é moda em 73
Eu quero é que este canto torto, feito faca, corte a carne de vocês

Overall Meaning

In Fagner's song A Palo Seco, the singer responds to someone asking where they have been during the time the listener was dreaming with their eyes open. The singer confesses that during that time they were in a state of desperation, and they continue to feel that way. The singer then adds that although they know the listener may think their despair is just a trend in the year 1973, they are genuinely discontent with their life. The singer also mentions their age and their connection to South America, but explains that despite these factors, they are more moved by a tango from Argentina than a blues song. The final line reveals that the singer hopes their powerful and cutting words will make an impact and "cut the flesh" of those listening.

Fagner's powerful and poetic lyrics in A Palo Seco paint a troubled portrait of a speaker trying to confront their inner turmoil while simultaneously trying to connect with others through their art. The singer's existential angst and search for meaning amidst the political and cultural turmoil of 1970s Brazil are palpable in the lyrics. The reference to their age and connection to South America suggests a search for identity and a desire to be true to oneself–not only as an artist but as a human being. The final line's powerful metaphor of a cutting knife suggests a desire to challenge and provoke listeners, to make them feel something authentic and real that may be uncomfortable.

Line by Line Meaning

Se você vier me perguntar por onde andei
If you were to ask me where I've been

No tempo em que você sonhava
During the time when you were still dreaming

De olhos abertos te direi, amigo eu me desesperava
With eyes wide open, I will tell you that I was in despair, my friend

Sei que assim falando pensas que este desespero é moda em 73
I know that you may think this despair is just a trend of '73

E eu ando um pouco descontente
And I've been feeling a little discontent

Desesperadamente eu falo em português
Desperately, I speak in Portuguese

Tenho 25 anos de sonho e de sangue e de América do Sul
I have 25 years of dreams, blood, and South America

Mas por força do meu destino
But because of my destiny

Um tango argentino me pega bem melhor que um blues
An Argentine tango resonates with me much better than the blues

Eu quero é que este canto torto, feito faca, corte a carne de vocês
What I want is for this crooked song, like a knife, to cut through your flesh

Contributed by Zoe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.