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.
Coragem pra suportar
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coragem pra suportar
Tem que viver pra ter
Coragem pra suportar
E somente plantar
Coragem pra suportar
E somente colher
Coragem pra suportar
Coragem pra suportar
Tem que arranjar também
Coragem pra suportar
Ou então
Vai embora
Vai pra longe
E deixa tudo
Tudo que é nada
Nada pra viver
Nada pra dar
Coragem pra suportar
In Gilberto Gil's song "Coragem pra Suportar," the lyrics describe the importance of bravery in enduring hardships. The first four lines are repeated throughout the song as a chorus, emphasizing the idea that the only way one can learn to cope with life's struggles is by facing them head-on. The lines, "Lá no sertão quem tem/ Coragem pra suportar/ Tem que viver pra ter/ Coragem pra suportar" translate to "Out in the wilderness, whoever has the courage to endure has to live in order to gain the courage to endure."
The next two lines, "E somente plantar/ Coragem pra suportar," suggest that cultivating bravery is a slow and steady process, akin to planting and nurturing a crop. The following two lines, "E somente colher/ Coragem pra suportar," show that the fruits of this labor are worth the effort, as they lead to the ability to withstand adversity. The final two lines, "E mesmo quem não tem/ Coragem pra suportar/ Tem que arranjar também/ Coragem pra suportar," acknowledge that not everyone is born with innate fortitude, but that it is still possible to acquire it with practice.
The final verse presents the ultimatum of the song. The lines, "Ou então/ Vai embora/ Vai pra longe/ E deixa tudo/ Tudo que é nada/ Nada pra viver/ Nada pra dar/ Coragem pra suportar" suggest that if one cannot find the bravery to endure, the only option is to leave everything behind and live a life devoid of purpose or substance.
Overall, "Coragem pra Suportar" is a powerful commentary on the importance of developing resilience in the face of life's challenges. It highlights the fact that bravery is not something that can be gained overnight, but rather, is a skill to be honed over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Lá no sertão quem tem
In the countryside, those who possess
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
Tem que viver pra ter
Must live to acquire
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
E somente plantar
And only sow
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
E somente colher
And only reap
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
E mesmo quem não tem
And even those who do not possess
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
Tem que arranjar também
Must also find
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
Ou então
Or else
Vai embora
Leave
Vai pra longe
Go far away
E deixa tudo
And leave everything
Tudo que é nada
All that is nothing
Nada pra viver
Nothing to live for
Nada pra dar
Nothing to give
Coragem pra suportar
The courage to endure
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bruno Góes
Lá no sertão quem tem
Coragem pra suportar
Tem que viver pra ter
Coragem pra suportar
E somente plantar
Coragem pra suportar
E somente colher
Coragem pra suportar
E mesmo quem não tem
Coragem pra suportar
Tem que arranjar também
Coragem pra suportar
Ou então
Vai embora
Vai pra longe
E deixa tudo
Tudo que é nada
Nada pra viver
Nada pra dar
Coragem pra suportar
Diogo Sousa
Psicodelia e Tropicalia! Que era maravilhosa da música brasileira!
Orlando Ferreira
Gil & Os Mutantes + Duprat.
Que arranjo!
Nicholas Kania
Orlando Oliveira agreed!! Such an awesome combo!
Bruno Góes
Lá no sertão quem tem
Coragem pra suportar
Tem que viver pra ter
Coragem pra suportar
E somente plantar
Coragem pra suportar
E somente colher
Coragem pra suportar
E mesmo quem não tem
Coragem pra suportar
Tem que arranjar também
Coragem pra suportar
Ou então
Vai embora
Vai pra longe
E deixa tudo
Tudo que é nada
Nada pra viver
Nada pra dar
Coragem pra suportar
Alessandra Rodrigues
essa música incrível <3
Santos Pessoa
O Gil sempre maravilhoso
Giovanna Duarte
Música maravilhosa!
roberto ozelame
Ouvi muito esse disco! Magistral!
Fabrício Assis MG
E se os Beatles não lançasse o formidável 'Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band'... O movimento da Tropicália existiria?... rsrs
Santos Pessoa
@mauro Sergio falou tudo