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.
Baião Da Penha
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vou subir a Penha a pé
Pra fazer minha oração
Vou pedir à padroeira
Numa prece verdadeira
Que proteja o meu baião
Penha! Penha!
Venha, venha
Trazer paz para o meu lar
Nossa Senhora da Penha
Minha voz talvez não tenha
O poder de te exaltar
Mas dê bênção padroeira
Pressa gente brasileira
"Baião da Penha" by Gilberto Gil is an ode to Penha, a neighborhood in his hometown of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In this song, Gil demonstrates his faith by ascending the Penha hill on foot to offer his sincere prayer and request protection for his "Baião," a traditional Brazilian musical rhythm that originated in rural areas. The song opens with Gil stating his intention to show his faith and climb the Penha hill to make his supplication. He then proceeds to ask the patron saint of Penha, Our Lady of Penha, to provide divine intervention to safeguard his Baião. The chorus repeats the refrain "Penha! Penha!" as a call to the saint to come and bring peace to his home.
Through the lyrics of the song, Gil's love for his hometown and its rich cultural background is evident. The Baião rhythm is an essential aspect of Brazilian folk music and is characterized by its use of simple instruments like accordion and triangle. The Penha neighborhood is known for its beautiful view of the city and its famous church, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Many people believe that Our Lady of Penha has the power to protect their home and their community, which is why Gil makes his request to her.
Line by Line Meaning
Demonstrando a minha fé
Showing my faith
Vou subir a Penha a pé
I will climb Penha on foot
Pra fazer minha oração
To say my prayer
Vou pedir à padroeira
I will ask the patroness
Numa prece verdadeira
With a sincere prayer
Que proteja o meu baião
To protect my Baião
Penha! Penha!
Penha! Penha!
Eu vim aqui me ajoelhar
I came here to kneel
Venha, venha
Come, come
Trazer paz para o meu lar
To bring peace to my home
Nossa Senhora da Penha
Our Lady of Penha
Minha voz talvez não tenha
My voice may not have
O poder de te exaltar
The power to exalt you
Mas dê bênção padroeira
But grant blessings, patroness
Pressa gente brasileira
Hurry, Brazilian people
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID NASSER, GUIO DE MORAIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rosa Rodrigues
Ele nunca vai envelhecer, sua fonte da juventude é a música! É isso aí Gil, saúde e paz para vc compor muito ainda.
Paulo Nascimento
Parabens Para Gil , Parabens ao Nordeste! Parabéns pra disse que não somos e não temos! Aí nasce as melhores razões musicais do Brasil!!
Rosângela Quantrin Ponciano
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Rosângela Quantrin Ponciano
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Pró Marii
Gil, grande mestre, músico, intérprete e compositor da MPB. Orgulho para os baianos e todo o povo nordestino.Que você possa viver com boa saúde ainda por muitos anos.
Maria Celeste
Linda honenagem a essa, ainda pouco estudada,
Nossa Senhora Penha de França do Irajá!!!
A igreja foi capela da outra i perto do cemitério de Irajá...muitas histórias esquecidas dos Subúrbios Cariocas!
Zé faz quase tudo
Meu Deus, Gil você demais como sempre, gosto muito do Arthur, uma das minhas referências no Bass. Que Groove ficou essa música viu ?
Bruno Moreira Lima
Peeeeenha!!! Penhaaaaaa!!!! Eu vim aqui me ajoelhar!!! Que abençoe Ramos, Olaria, Bonsucesso e, claro, a Penha! Que um dia (e que seja breve) seja tudo mais bonito, vivo, próspero e de paz por aí, meus irmãos!!!
FORRÓ QUIMERA
Salve! Salve! Gil . Maravilhoso quando Gil reverência os gêneros da musicalidade nordestina como o baião, o xote, o xaxado, entre outros ... tudo aglutinado e compactado sob a denominação de Forró.
Flora Miles
This has to be one of the coolest men to have ever lived.