Gal became one of Brazil's foremost Tropicália counterculture movement singers during the late 1960s and early 70s, quickly earning the title as one of the best and most acclaimed singers in Brazil, following a very succesful career with many hits and prestige over the years. During Tropicália, she became a political activist, coming into conflict with Brazil's government when dissent in music was censored, and later coming to represent the movement all alone in her country when her fellow Tropicália members and friends were exhiled to London due to the heavy dictatorship that was going on at the time.
Fellow musician Caetano Veloso, introduced her to Gilberto Gil and Tom Zé in 1963 (and later Maria Bethânia), who managed to secure her a recording deal in São Paulo for her debut album Domingo with Caetano Veloso. A bit before recording her first album, "Father of Bossa Nova" João Gilberto, met her and after a couple of hours hearing Gracinha (as she was known at the time) sing for him as he was playing the acoustic guitar, he said: "Gracinha, you're Brazil's greatest female singer". In the following years, Gal would prove his statement right with a fruitful and rewarding career, and with the encouragement of João Gilberto himself; her biggest idol.
Gal has recorded songs composed by a number of Brazil's most popular songwriters such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jorge Ben Jor, Chico Buarque, Rita Lee and especially her close friends Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. She was also a member of the supergroup Doces Bárbaros, active in 1976, 1994 and 2002.
Candeias
Gal Costa Lyrics
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Ainda hoje meu amor eu vou voltar
Da terra nova nem saudade vou levando
Pelo contrário pouca história pra contar
Quero ver a lua vindo
Por detrás da samambaia
Rede de palha se abrindo
Em cada palmo de praia
E nos teus olhos de espanto
Tudo quanto eu mais queria
Ainda hoje vou me embora pra Candeias
Ainda hoje meu amor eu vou voltar
Da terra nova nem saudade vou levando
Pelo contrário pouca história pra contar
E nas sombras lá de longe
Lá onde o céu principia
Quero ver mestre proeiro
No remo e na valentia
Procissão de velas brancas
No sentido da Bahia
Procissão de velas brancas
No sentido da Bahia
Da Bahia
Bahia
The lyrics of Gal Costa and Caetano Veloso’s song Candeias tell the story of someone leaving for Candeias and promising to return to their love. The lyrics begin with the person declaring their imminent departure for Candeias and their promise to return to their lover soon. They state that they are not taking any memories of their current location, implying that they are eager to leave and start afresh. Their desire to see the moon rising behind the samambaia and the expanse of the beach, marked by the opening of the straw hammock, shows their eagerness to be in the new location and experience everything it has to offer.
The second verse of the song speaks of the person’s desire to witness the start of the evening and the procession of white candles from a distance, leading towards Bahia. The mention of the “mestre proeiro” (the master helmsman) conveys a sense of adventure, with the person wishing to see the skill and bravery of the sailors. The lyrics are full of longing, with the person yearning for everything that Candeias represents. The word “Bahia” repeated at the end speaks to the importance of the place, evoking a sense of pride and joy in their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Ainda hoje vou me embora pra Candeias
Today I am leaving for Candeias
Ainda hoje meu amor eu vou voltar
Today, my love, I am coming back
Da terra nova nem saudade vou levando
I am leaving without missing this new land
Pelo contrário pouca história pra contar
I have little to share about my experiences here
Quero ver a lua vindo
I want to see the moon rising
Por detrás da samambaia
Behind the fern
Rede de palha se abrindo
A straw hammock unfolding
Em cada palmo de praia
In every inch of the beach
Quero ver a lua branca clareando como um dia
I want to see the bright moonlight illuminate like daylight
E nos teus olhos de espanto
And in your wondrous eyes
Tudo quanto eu mais queria
Is everything I long for
E nas sombras lá de longe
And in the distant shadows
Lá onde o céu principia
Where the sky begins
Quero ver mestre proeiro
I want to see the master helmsman
No remo e na valentia
In his strength of paddle and courage
Procissão de velas brancas
A procession of white candles
No sentido da Bahia
Heading towards Bahia
Procissão de velas brancas
A procession of white candles
No sentido da Bahia
Heading towards Bahia
Da Bahia
Of Bahia
Bahia
Bahia
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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