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.

Esses Mocos
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Esses moços, pobres moços
Ah, se soubessem o que sei
Não amavam, não passavam
Aquilo que eu já passei
Por meu olhos, por meus sonhos
Por meu sangue, tudo enfim
É que eu peço
A esses moços

Que acreditem em mim
Se eles julgam que há um lindo futuro
Só o amor nesta vida conduz
Saibam que deixam o céu por ser escuro
E vão ao inferno à procura de luz
Eu também tive nos meus belos dias
Essa mania e muito me custou
Pois só as mágoas que eu trago no peito
E estas rugas que o amor me deixou

Esses moços, pobres moços
Ah, se soubessem o que sei

Overall Meaning

In Gilberto Gil's song "Esses Mocos," the singer is speaking to young men, warning them about the perils of love and heartbreak. He tells them that if they knew what he knows, they would not love and suffer as he has. Through his eyes, his dreams, and his blood, he has experienced it all and asks these young men to believe him. He lets them know that if they think love is the only way to a beautiful future, they are mistaken. Leaving the safe haven of heaven in search of light will only lead them to hell. The singer admits to having been in the same place when he was young and that it cost him greatly. He carries the scars of lost love and heartache due to his foolishness.

The song conveys a sense of compassion and empathy for these young men while also warning them of the potential consequences of their actions. The lyrics acknowledge the universal desire for love but ultimately leaves the decision up to the listener, whether to heed the advice of the singer or discover for themselves what lies ahead.

Line by Line Meaning

Esses moços, pobres moços
These boys, poor boys

Ah, se soubessem o que sei
Oh, if they only knew what I know

Não amavam, não passavam
They wouldn't love, they wouldn't go through

Aquilo que eu já passei
What I've already gone through

Por meu olhos, por meus sonhos
Through my eyes, through my dreams

Por meu sangue, tudo enfim
Through my blood, everything, in the end

É que eu peço
It's what I ask

A esses moços
Of these boys

Que acreditem em mim
To believe in me

Se eles julgam que há um lindo futuro
If they believe there's a beautiful future

Só o amor nesta vida conduz
Only love leads in this life