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.
Flora
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frondosa toda a folhagem
Multiplicada a ramagem
De agora
Tendo tudo transcorrido
Flores e frutos da imagem
Com que faço essa viagem
Ó, Flora
Imagino-te jaqueira
Postada à beira da estrada
Velha, forte, farta, bela
Senhora
Pelo chão, muitos caroços
Como que restos dos nossos
Próprios sonhos devorados
Pelo pássaro da aurora
Ó, Flora
Imagino-te futura
Ainda mais linda, madura
Pura no sabor de amor e
De amora
Toda aquela luz acesa
Na doçura e na beleza
Terei sono, com certeza
Debaixo da tua sombra
Ó, Flora
Ó Flora
Ó Flora
Flora is a song by Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil that speaks to the longevity of love and relationships. The lyrics describe the journey of a love that has grown and thrived over time. The first verse imagines the subject of the song, Flora, as an elderly tree with abundant foliage and multiplied branches. The second verse describes Flora as a Jaqueira (Jabuticaba) tree, a symbol of prosperity, with many pits on the ground that represent dreams devoured by the bird of dawn. The third and final verse portrays Flora as a future figure, even more beautiful and mature, pure in taste and of love and blackberry. The imagery of a tree, which grows and changes over time, represents the growth and development of a relationship between two people.
The repetition of "Ó Flora" throughout the song serves to emphasize the strength and significance of this person in the singer's life, making her the central figure in this journey of love. It's interesting how Gilberto Gil manages to present various images of Flora, each one representing a different phase of life, yet still remaining true to her essence as a strong and beautiful woman.
Overall, the song is a celebration of love and the role that it plays in shaping and strengthening relationships over time. It's a reminder that as long as there is love, there is growth, and that even the passing of time does not diminish its power.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagino-te já idosa
I imagine you already old
Frondosa toda a folhagem
Foliage all around you
Multiplicada a ramagem
Your branches multiplied
De agora
Since now
Tendo tudo transcorrido
Having everything passed
Flores e frutos da imagem
Flowers and fruits of the image
Com que faço essa viagem
With which I make this journey
Pelo reino do teu nome
Through the kingdom of your name
Ó, Flora
Oh, Flora
Imagino-te jaqueira
I imagine you a jackfruit tree
Postada à beira da estrada
Standing by the roadside
Velha, forte, farta, bela
Old, strong, fruitful, beautiful
Senhora
Lady
Pelo chão, muitos caroços
On the ground, many seeds
Como que restos dos nossos
Like leftovers from our
Próprios sonhos devorados
Own devoured dreams
Pelo pássaro da aurora
By the bird of dawn
Ó, Flora
Oh, Flora
Imagino-te futura
I imagine you in the future
Ainda mais linda, madura
Even more beautiful, mature
Pura no sabor de amor e
Pure in the flavor of love and
De amora
Of blackberry
Toda aquela luz acesa
All that light lit up
Na doçura e na beleza
In sweetness and beauty
Terei sono, com certeza
I will surely sleep
Debaixo da tua sombra
Underneath your shade
Ó, Flora
Oh, Flora
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joselucas8637
Imagino-te já idosa
Frondosa toda a folhagem
Multiplicada a ramagem
De agora
Tendo tudo transcorrido
Flores e frutos da imagem
Com que faço essa viagem
PUBLICIDADE
inRead invented by Teads
Pelo reino do teu nome
Ó, Flora
Imagino-te jaqueira
Postada à beira da estrada
Velha, forte, farta, bela
Senhora
Pelo chão, muitos caroços
Como que restos dos nossos
Próprios sonhos devorados
Pelo pássaro da aurora
Ó, Flora
Imagino-te futura
Ainda mais linda, madura
Pura no sabor de amor e
De amora
Toda aquela luz acesa
Na doçura e na beleza
Terei sono, com certeza
Debaixo da tua sombra
Ó, Flora
@NandaMcBeal
Um dos únicos poemas que enaltece a mulher mais velha, já madura!Ele faz uma brincadeira linda com a dualidade de interpretação com a palavra madura ( mulher mais velha + sabor da fruta madura!!!) Lindo demais! Gil é de uma inteligência poética e musical sem fim! Que orgulho de ser brasileira! :)
@giorgio2865
E' a mesma coisa que gostaria de ser... da quando eu vim na Linda Terra Vermelha... sabe? :)
@iasmim9908
Dei o nome da minha filha por causa dessa música.. obrigada Gil..pq hj convivo com uma benção
@alexantunes4084
Grande coisa você fez , sua filha é o que no cosmo , fez o que pela humanidade?
@ivysabreu6412
Só um homem especial consegue entender a essência do feminino como o Gil mostrou nesse música. É lindo demais... Lindo demais é pouco para essa letra. Gil você nasceu, foi Graça de Deus nesse mundo.
@sergiomagalhaes9102
A interpretação da Elis no Trem Azul ao vivo é de uma delicadeza e beleza extraordinária. Li que ele gostou. E estava acompanhado por Flora.
@andredicenna
Uma das maiores e mais belas declarações de AMOR que já ouvi..
Obrigado Gil, grandioso Gil 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
@jackielevy5399
Un petit Français qui aime la musique Brésilienne, en particulier Gilberto Gil, mais je constate que ce n'est pas assez connu en France!!!
@ethellima8981
MESTRE Gil,para sua amada Flora.Mulher e natureza,em perfeita comunhão.Salve!!
@acetaga
Ele fez essa musica para a esposa, Flora. Uma cantada genial, um ato de profundo amor que dura desde 1979.