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.
Iemanjá
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Mulher tá na praia, homem tá no mar
Mulher tá rezando pro homem voltar
Mané foi pra pesca pescar pra viver
Peixe bom pra comida
Peixe bom pra vender
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Mulher tá rezando
Já passou da hora
Mulher tá chorando
Mu deus, que demora
Iemanjá tá querendo
Ficar com Mané
Iemanjá é rainha
É bonita, é mulher
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Não foi desta vez, desta vez não será
Lá vem a jangada chegando do mar
Trouxe pouca pesca, mas Mané voltou
Salve Nossa Senhora
Salve Nosso Senhor
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
The song "Iemanjá" by Gilberto Gil is a beautiful tribute to the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea. The song tells the story of a fishing community, where men go out to the sea to fish while women wait on the shore and pray for their return. The singer of the song is a man named Mané, who has gone out to fish to make a living. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of the sea in the lives of these people, and how it is intertwined with the mythic figure of Iemanjá.
The lyrics paint a picture of the community's dependence on the sea, and the struggles they face trying to make a living from it. As Mané's wife waits anxiously for his return, she prays not only for his safety but also for a good catch. The chorus "Iemanjá – só se vê mar" reinforces the idea that in this community, everything revolves around the sea, and Iemanjá is the spirit that protects them.
The song captures the reverence that the Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomblé, has for Iemanjá. With a mix of Portuguese and Yoruba -the language of the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin- the song speaks to the deeply spiritual nature of the sea and how its power is connected to the goddess Iemanjá.
Line by Line Meaning
Iemanjá – só se vê mar
Iemanjá is synonymous with the sea, and the sea is all that can be seen.
Mulher tá na praia, homem tá no mar
The woman waits on the shore while the man is out at sea.
Mulher tá rezando pro homem voltar
The woman prays for the safe return of her man from the sea.
Mané foi pra pesca pescar pra viver
Mané's livelihood depends on fishing.
Peixe bom pra comida
The fish caught is suitable for consumption.
Peixe bom pra vender
The fish caught can also be sold for income.
Mulher tá rezando
The woman continues to pray.
Já passou da hora
It's already past the expected return time.
Mulher tá chorando
The woman is now crying due to the delay of the man's return.
Mu deus, que demora
The artist expresses their frustration at the delay.
Iemanjá tá querendo
Iemanjá desires to have Mané with her.
Ficar com Mané
Iemanjá wishes to have Mané's companionship.
Iemanjá é rainha
Iemanjá is the queen, indicative of her importance in the singer's life.
É bonita, é mulher
Iemanjá is beautiful, and a woman in her own right.
Não foi desta vez, desta vez não será
The woman's fears of a tragic outcome are not realized this time, but this cannot be guaranteed in the future.
Lá vem a jangada chegando do mar
The boat is finally spotted approaching from the sea.
Trouxe pouca pesca, mas Mané voltou
The catch was small, but the important thing is that Mané is alive and back on land.
Salve Nossa Senhora
The singer honors Our Lady for her protection and intervention.
Salve Nosso Senhor
The singer honors Our Lord for his protection and intervention.
Contributed by Savannah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shirleysilva8592
Escutei essa música em 68, tinha 11 anos, e lembro q fiquei tão encantada q iniciei a compor poesias, mha musa inspiradora, linda canção!
@ANADELEI1
Flávio