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.
Corda de Aço
Fagner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nem o peso da pedra do sacrifício
Só sei que quando estou só
Sinto na pele
Que meu abrigo pode ser o precipício.
Não sei quem chora por mim
Quem inocentemente me condena
Tudo que faltar a gente inventa.
Voz pra cantar, corda de aço
Corda de aço desfiada,
Minha vida só é vida porque sei
que ela vai ser sempre apaixonada.
Voz pra cantar, corda de aço
Corda de aço desfiada,
Minha vida só é vida porque sei
que ela vai morrer apaixonada.
The lyrics to Fagner's "Corda de Aço" speaks to the uncertainty and fragility of life, as well as the importance of passion and love. The singer does not know the color of forgiveness nor the weight of sacrifice, perhaps indicating a sense of confusion or lack of knowledge in regards to these abstract concepts. However, they do know that when they are alone, they feel as though their protection could be their downfall.
The second stanza speaks more to interpersonal relationships and the way that others perceive the singer. They do not know who cries for them or who condemns them, but they do know that they can create their own truths and conclusions when faced with the coldness of silence.
The chorus mentions the need for a voice to sing, as well as the metaphorical "corda de aço" (steel string), which could refer to a variety of things - a musical instrument, a life line, or even a metaphor for strength. The line "Minha vida só é vida porque sei que ela vai ser sempre apaixonada" (My life is only life because I know it will always be passionate) emphasizes the theme of passion and love, indicating that only these emotions can truly make life worth living.
Overall, "Corda de Aço" is a poignant reflection on the human experience, one that emphasizes the importance of emotion, relationships and maintaining a passion for life.
Line by Line Meaning
Não sei a cor do perdão
I don't know what forgiveness looks like.
Nem o peso da pedra do sacrifício
I don't know what it feels like to make a sacrifice.
Só sei que quando estou só
But I do know that when I'm alone,
Sinto na pele
I feel it in my skin
Que meu abrigo pode ser o precipício.
That my refuge could be a cliff.
Não sei quem chora por mim
I don't know who cries for me
Quem inocentemente me condena
Or who falsely accuses me
E olhando a cara fria do silêncio
And when faced with the cold face of silence,
Tudo que faltar a gente inventa.
We'll just have to invent anything missing.
Voz pra cantar, corda de aço
A voice to sing, steel cord
Corda de aço desfiada,
Unraveled steel cord,
Minha vida só é vida porque sei
My life is only a life because I know
que ela vai ser sempre apaixonada.
That it will always be passionate.
Voz pra cantar, corda de aço
A voice to sing, steel cord
Corda de aço desfiada,
Unraveled steel cord,
Minha vida só é vida porque sei
My life is only a life because I know
que ela vai morrer apaixonada.
That it will die passionately.
Writer(s): RAIMUNDO FAGNER CANDIDO LOPES, CLODOMIR SOUZA FERREIRA
Contributed by Aubrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ze Carlos Amaral
Eu não apenas ouvia essa e várias outras do Fagner como posso afirmar que literalmente eu CONSUMIA suas belas e intensas músicas!!!! Era tipo ouvir até furar o disco!!! Kkkkk
Almeida .b
Gente, que música linda
Leda Andrade Azevedo
Música linda 💖 de se, ouvir vale apena para uma hora dessa 1hora e20: minutos da manhã de sexta feira delícia ouvindo só... Raimundo Fagner ❤️❤️👏👏 amo esmo 🤩🚴🌧️
silvan apazev
Ñ sei quem chora por mim....poesia pura.
Fez e faz parte de minha vida....
❤Silvânia Sete Lagoas MG
Eu em 2021
Elivaldo Xavier
As.musicas de Fagner se traduzem em eternas paixões e uma melodia bem construída em cima de uma poesia surreal
blue balloon
Guitarra maravilhosa de Robertinho do recife
Fernanda Souza
Parece o Vitor Metaforando akkakakakaka