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.
Maria
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uma estrelinha mais cadente do céu
Uma pedrinha de cascalho presa em seu colar
Pedra da rua onde você nasceu
Se a vida resolveu que iria lhe chamar de Sol
Um raio vivo desse nosso astro rei
Que seja a luz do dia, a sua guia, seu farol
Porque da noite, amor, da noite eu não sei
Que o mundo seja bom, que o mundo seja bom pra nós
Seus pais, seus tios, seus primos, avós e bisavós
Que o mundo seja o que deseja a sua geração
Todos que estão aqui e mais todos os que virão
Uma gotinha de orvalho pra lhe abençoar
Que toda água vem da fonte de Deus
Que o Sol de Maria que irradia seu chamar
Aqueça os sonhos seus
Sol de Maria
The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's song "Maria" are a beautiful dedication to a beloved person named Maria. The first verse refers to symbols of purity and luck. A drop of dew is used for baptism, a shooting star to make a wish, and a stone from the street where Maria was born is worn as a necklace. The second verse is about the uncertainty of life and the hope for a good world for Maria to grow up in. The chorus is a wish for the sun, represented by Maria's name, to guide and illuminate Maria's dreams.
The song overall is a testament to the love and care that the singer has for Maria. The use of natural symbols like the dew and the sun, as well as the references to Maria's birthplace, give the song a very intimate and personal feel. The themes of hope and uncertainty are also very relatable, as everyone wishes for a better world for their loved ones.
Overall, "Maria" is a sweet and heartfelt tribute to someone beloved, wishing them the best on their journey through life.
Line by Line Meaning
Uma gotinha de orvalho pra lhe batizar
A small drop of dew to baptize you
Uma estrelinha mais cadente do céu
A shooting star from the sky
Uma pedrinha de cascalho presa em seu colar
A small rock from the street where you were born, worn as a necklace
Pedra da rua onde você nasceu
A stone from the street where you were born
Se a vida resolveu que iria lhe chamar de Sol
If life has decided to call you 'Sun'
Um raio vivo desse nosso astro rei
A live ray of our sun
Que seja a luz do dia, a sua guia, seu farol
May it be the light of day, your guide, your beacon
Porque da noite, amor, da noite eu não sei
Because, my love, I don't know about the night
Que o mundo seja bom, que o mundo seja bom pra nós
May the world be good, may the world be good to us
Seus pais, seus tios, seus primos, avós e bisavós
Your parents, your uncles, your cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents
Que o mundo seja o que deseja a sua geração
May the world be what your generation desires
Todos que estão aqui e mais todos os que virão
Everyone who is here and everyone who will come
Uma gotinha de orvalho pra lhe abençoar
A small drop of dew to bless you
Que toda água vem da fonte de Deus
That all water comes from the source of God
Que o Sol de Maria que irradia seu chamar
May the sun of Maria, that radiates your calling
Aqueça os sonhos seus
Warm your dreams
Sol de Maria
Sun of Maria
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind