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.
Sabiá
Fagner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Perguntando por meu bem
Tenho o coração vazio
Vivo assim a dar psiu
Sabiá vem cá também
Tu que andas pelo mundo
Tu que tanto já voou
Alivia minha dor
Tem pena d'eu (sabiá)
Diz por favor (sabiá)
Tu que cantas passarinho (sabiá)
Alivia minha dor
Sabiá . . .
The lyrics of Fagner's song Sabiá express a deep longing for love and companionship. The singer of the song appears to be wandering through life with a sense of emptiness, reaching out to everyone he meets, asking about his beloved. The mention of the Sabiá, a Brazilian bird known for its beautiful singing voice, is used as a metaphor for the singer's pain and suffering. He pleads with the bird to come to him and alleviate his sorrow, recognizing its ability to provide comfort through its soothing songs.
The repeated references to the act of giving a "psiu" (a soft whistle often used to get someone's attention) suggest a sense of desperation and loneliness. The singer is calling out to anyone and everyone in the hope that someone will answer and offer solace. The use of the bird as a symbol of hope and connection is common in Brazilian culture, and Fagner's use of the sabiá reflects this tradition.
Overall, Sabiá is a poignant exploration of the universal human experience of longing for connection and companionship. The singer's vulnerability and openness make the song relatable to anyone who has experienced loneliness and the pain of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
A todo mundo eu dou psiu
I call out to everyone, asking about my beloved
Perguntando por meu bem
Asking after their well-being, hoping for any news
Tenho o coração vazio
My heart is empty, longing to be filled with love and happiness
Vivo assim a dar psiu
Living in constant search and hope for an answer
Sabiá vem cá também
Oh Sabiá, come and join me in my loneliness
Tu que andas pelo mundo
You who travel the world
Tu que tanto já voou
You who have flown so far
Tu que cantas, passarinho
You who sing, my feathered friend
Alivia minha dor
Ease my pain and sorrow
Tem pena d'eu (sabiá)
Have pity on me, oh Sabiá
Diz por favor (sabiá)
Please tell me, oh Sabiá
Sabiá...
Sabiá...
Contributed by Hannah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leda Andrade Azevedo
A minha mãe 😃 já falecida cantava essa música tinha uma voz linda 💖 agora com Fagner poeta é muito bom que isso menino tu cantas da mais👏😘💞🌞
Leda Andrade Azevedo
Sabiá onde. andas um amor q eu procuro tanto tempo 😅