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.
Filhos De Gandhi
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Todo o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
Iansã, Iemanjá, chama Xangô
Oxossi também
Manda descer pra ver
Mercador, Cavaleiro de Bagdá
Oh, Filhos de Obá
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
Senhor do Bonfim, faz um favor pra mim
Chama o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
Oh, meu pai do céu, na terra é carnaval
Chama o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's song Filhos De Gandhi are an invocation of various African deities and spirits, urging them to come down and join the celebration of the Filhos de Gandhi Carnival group. The first stanza mentions Omolu, Ogum, Oxum, and Oxumaré, while the second brings up Iansã, Iemanjá, and Xangô among others. The third stanza invokes the names of various figures from African folklore, such as the Mercador and the Cavaleiro de Bagdá, calling upon them to witness the Filhos de Gandhi in action. The final stanza requests the intervention of the Senhor do Bonfim, a popular figure in the Brazilian Catholic tradition.
Overall, the song emphasizes the Afro-Brazilian heritage of the Filhos de Gandhi group and celebrates their presence in the Carnival festivities. It is a testament to the enduring influence of African culture in Brazilian society and highlights the importance of cultural exchange and diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Omolu, Ogum, Oxum, Oxumaré
Inviting the powerful deities of Omolu, Ogum, Oxum, and Oxumaré to come down and witness the Filhos de Gandhi.
Todo o pessoal
Everyone, without exception.
Manda descer pra ver
Sending an invitation for them to come down and witness.
Filhos de Gandhi
The children of Gandhi, who symbolize peace, non-violence, and unity.
Iansã, Iemanjá, chama Xangô
Invoking the powerful entities of Iansã, Iemanjá, and Xangô to come and join the celebration.
Oxossi também
Including Oxossi, the god of the hunt and of the forest.
Mercador, Cavaleiro de Bagdá
Referencing various religious and cultural figures who are welcome to the celebration.
Oh, Filhos de Obá
Referring to the children of Obá, one of the warrior women of the orixás.
Senhor do Bonfim, faz um favor pra mim
Asking the Lord of Good Endings to help bring people to the celebration.
Chama o pessoal
Asking to call all the people to the celebration.
Oh, meu pai do céu, na terra é carnaval
Calling upon God above to witness the carnival happening on earth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lisasayss
Omolu, Ogum, Oxum, Oxumaré
Todo o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Iansã, Iemanjá, chama Xangô
Oxossi também
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Mercador, Cavaleiro de Bagdá
Oh, Filhos de Obá
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Senhor do Bonfim, faz um favor pra mim
Chama o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Oh, meu pai do céu, na terra é carnaval
Chama o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
@lisasayss
Omolu, Ogum, Oxum, Oxumaré
Todo o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Iansã, Iemanjá, chama Xangô
Oxossi também
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Mercador, Cavaleiro de Bagdá
Oh, Filhos de Obá
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Senhor do Bonfim, faz um favor pra mim
Chama o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
… Oh, meu pai do céu, na terra é carnaval
Chama o pessoal
Manda descer pra ver
Filhos de Gandhi
@lacosdefamilia1516
Isso aí não é uma música... é uma obra de arte
@belmiradejesusvieira8310
Não sei explicar o que sinto: É uma mistura de êxtase, o coração pulsa diferente...
@canalzart
Isso até então pra mim era um segredo
Agora já não é mais, então vou dizer:
Isso cura!!!
@niltonmagalhaesjr
Essa versão é boa demais! O estado da arte! ❤ Axé 🙏🏻
@michaelh6136
This sounds better on YouTube than Spotify!
@michaelh6136
Also I love you
@brianlevine1479
I don't speak or understand Portuguese but I love this song!
@arenics
it mentions some Candomblé gods inviting them to see the show of a carnaval group named Sons of Gandhi that presents it self once by years in Bahia state carnival in Brasil.
@ricardocarvalho5783
@@arenicsll