He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.
In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and The Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.
Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected a city councillor in his home town Salvador in 1989. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.
When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture, a post he held until 2008. While minister, Gil released his songs "Refazenda", "Rebento" and "Refavela" under the Creative Commons Sampling License.
In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipient of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.
In September 2005 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).
His daughter Preta Gil is also a musician.
Último pau-de-arara
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quando não chove no chão
Mas se chove dá de tudo
Fartura tem de porção
Tomara que chova logo
Tomara meu Deus tomara
No último pau de arara
Só deixo o meu Cariri
No último pau de arara
Enquanto a minha vaquinha
Tiver couro e o osso
E puder com o chocalho
Pendurado no pescoço
Eu vou ficando por aqui
Que Deus do céu me ajude
Quem sai da terra natal
Em outro canto não para
Só deixo o meu Cariri
No último pau de arara
Só deixo o meu Cariri
No último pau de arara
In "Último pau-de-arara," Gilberto Gil speaks about his ties to his homeland, or "terra natal," and how he can only imagine leaving it in the most desperate of times, signified by the phrase "No último pau de arara." The first verse describes how life in Cariri is only difficult when there is drought, but when it rains, everything thrives, and there is an abundance that comes in "porção," or portion. Gil then expresses his hope that it would rain soon through the phrase "Tomara que chova logo" (Hopefully it rains soon).
The second verse speaks about Gilberto Gil's attachment to his way of life and his tradition. He sings about his cow, or "vaquinha," which represents his ability to sustain himself and his attachment to the land. He expresses his wish to stay in his homeland and how he believes that leaving it would prove to be a difficult and trying process. "Que Deus do céu me ajude," which translates to "God in Heaven help me," also gives the impression that leaving Cariri would not be something he would do voluntarily.
Overall, "Último pau-de-arara" presents a deep sense of attachment to one's roots and the anxieties associated with the idea of leaving one's homeland for an uncertain future.
Line by Line Meaning
A vida aqui só é ruim
Life here is only bad
Quando não chove no chão
When it doesn't rain on the ground
Mas se chove dá de tudo
But if it rains, there's everything
Fartura tem de porção
Abundance in small portions
Tomara que chova logo
I hope it rains soon
Tomara meu Deus tomara
I hope, my God, I hope
Só deixo o meu Cariri
I'll only leave my Cariri
No último pau de arara
On the last truck of migrants
Enquanto a minha vaquinha
As long as my little cow
Tiver couro e o osso
Has skin and bones
E puder com o chocalho
And can handle the bell
Pendurado no pescoço
Hanging on her neck
Eu vou ficando por aqui
I'll be staying here
Que Deus do céu me ajude
May the God in heaven help me
Quem sai da terra natal
Whoever leaves their homeland
Em outro canto não para
Won't settle down in another place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jose Palmeira Guimaraes, Manuel Jose Do Espirito Santo, Marcos Cavalcanti De Albuquerque
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind