Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and song… Read Full Bio ↴Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter, and Brazil's former minister of culture.

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.

Barca grande
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

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Eu vim aqui pra te ver
Como te vi, vou-me embora
Eu vim aqui pra te ver
Como te vi, vou-me embora
Trabalho na barca grande
Só chego fora de hora
Trabalho na barca grande
Só chego fora de hora

Hoje eu cheguei atrasado
Na barca pra trabalhar
Essa noite eu fui com Rosa
No Recife passear
Rosa nunca tinha ido
No Recife passear
Aproveitei que era noite
Pra Rosa poder gostar

Rosa é minha namorada
Mora com o pai pescador
Pescador de caranguejo
Pai de Rosa, minha flor
Minha flor nasceu no mangue
Nunca pode passear
Nunca pode ver Recife
A cidade, seu sonhar

Eu que já saí do mangue
Já consegui trabalhar
Na barca do Beberibe
Quero Rosa pra casar
Já posso ter um dinheiro
Pra Rosa se divertir
Essa noite eu levei Rosa
Pra Rosa poder sorrir

Hoje à noite eu vou ver Rosa
Ela vai sorrir contente
Recife, seu sonho morto
Ficou vivo de repente
Eu que sou louco por ela
Vou fazer Rosa cantar
Vou também cantar pra ela
Essa ciranda, essa ciranda

Eu vim aqui pra te ver
Como te vi, vou-me embora
Eu vim aqui pra te ver
Como te vi, vou-me embora
Trabalho na barca grande
Só chego fora de hora
Trabalho na barca grande
Só chego fora de hora
Trabalho na barca grande
Só chego fora de hora

Trabalho na barca grande
Só chego fora de hora

Overall Meaning

"Barca Grande" by Gilberto Gil tells the story of a man who works on a large boat, “barca grande”, and his struggles to make time for his loved one, Rosa. The singer comes to see Rosa and then leaves right away, as he is always running late for work. Though he works hard, he can still find time to show Rosa around the city of Recife. Rosa is his girlfriend and the daughter of a crab fisherman. She has never been to Recife before and it is her dream to see the city.

The song explores themes of love, class struggle, and the desire to escape poverty. The man’s job on the boat is his only way of making money, and he works hard to be able to take Rosa out and show her the world outside of their small town. The lyrics describe the difficulties they face as a lower class couple, but also the hope and joy that they derive from each other's company. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the couple finding joy together in simple pleasures and dreaming of a future where they can be together and see the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Eu vim aqui pra te ver
I came here to see you

Como te vi, vou-me embora
Since I have seen you, I'm leaving

Trabalho na barca grande
I work on a big ferry

Só chego fora de hora
I always arrive late

Hoje eu cheguei atrasado
Today, I arrived late

Na barca pra trabalhar
To work on the ferry

Essa noite eu fui com Rosa
Last night, I went with Rosa

No Recife passear
To stroll around Recife

Rosa nunca tinha ido
Rosa had never been

No Recife passear
To stroll around Recife

Aproveitei que era noite
I took advantage that it was night