Lanterna dos Afogados
Gal Costa / Herbert Vianna Lyrics

The lyrics of "Lanterna dos Afogados" are about hope, loneliness, and the struggle to find a safe harbor in life. The song's opening lines describe a state of despair, where nobody seems to hear the singer's cries. However, there's a light at the end of the tunnel for those who are feeling desperate: the pier, a safe haven for those who need to arrive somewhere safe. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm in the flashlight of the drowned," which refers to the beacon that helps lost sailors find their way back to shore, in this case, a metaphor for finding hope and comfort in life.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is waiting for someone they care about to arrive. They are willing to go through a long night and face the scars of their past to help this person find their way. The verse "a long night for a short life, but it doesn't matter to me anymore, as long as I can help you" shows that the singer's primary focus is to be there for the one they are waiting for, even if it means sacrificing themselves.

The song's overall message is one of hope, even in the darkest of times. It reminds us that, even if we feel lost and without direction, there is always a place for us to go to find refuge and comfort. The song resonates with many people, as we all have times when we feel hopeless and alone, and we need a guiding light to help us find our way back to safety.