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.
Milagre
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Embarcaram de manhã
Era Quarta-feira Santa
Dia de pescar e de pescador
Era Quarta-feira Santa, dia de pescador
Maurino, Dadá e Zeca, ô
Embarcaram de manhã
Dia de pescar e de pescador
Quarta-feira Santa, dia de pescador
Quem sabe se muda o tempo
Quem sabe se o tempo vira
Ah, o tempo virou
Maurino que é de guentar, guentou
Dadá que é de labutar, labutou
Zeca, esse nem falou
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Maurino, Dadá e Zeca, ô
Embarcaram de manhã
Era Quarta-feira Santa
Dia de pescar e de pescador
Quarta-feira Santa, dia de pescador
Maurino, Dadá e Zeca, ô
Embarcaram de manhã
Era Quarta-feira Santa
Dia de pescar e de pescador
Quarta-feira santa, dia de pescador
Quem sabe se muda o tempo
Quem sabe se o tempo vira
Ai, o tempo virou
Maurino que é de guentar, guentou
Dadá que é de labutar, labutou
Zeca, esse nem falou
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
Era só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Maurino, Dadá e Zeca, ô
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song Milagre describe the story of three fishermen named Maurino, Dadá, and Zeca who went out fishing one Wednesday, on the observance of Holy Week. The lyrics emphasize the connection between the day of the week and the occupation of the men, suggesting that they were deeply rooted in their traditional ways of life. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "era só jogar a rede e puxar" which means "it was just throwing the net and pulling" - this phrase highlights the ease and simplicity of their occupation as well as the fickleness of nature.
The song also alludes to the uncertainties that come with the life of a fisherman. The lines "quem sabe se muda o tempo, quem sabe se o tempo vira" translate to "who knows if the weather changes, who knows if the weather turns", which underscores the unpredictable nature of their work. The last part of the song repeats the refrain, implying that despite the challenges and uncertainties of their profession, the men continue to go out to sea and do what they know best - "era só jogar a rede e puxar".
Overall, "Milagre" celebrates the simplicity and perseverance of the lives of the fishermen while also acknowledging the difficulties and risks that come with their way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Maurino, Dadá e Zeca, ô
Three individuals named Maurino, Dadá, and Zeca embarked on a fishing trip in the morning
Embarcaram de manhã
They set sail in the morning
Era Quarta-feira Santa
It was Holy Wednesday
Dia de pescar e de pescador
A day for fishing and for fishermen
Quarta-feira Santa, dia de pescador
Holy Wednesday, a day for fishermen
Quem sabe se muda o tempo
Who knows if the weather will change
Quem sabe se o tempo vira
Who knows if the weather will turn
Ah, o tempo virou
Oh, the weather changed
Maurino que é de guentar, guentou
Maurino, who is strong, endured
Dadá que é de labutar, labutou
Dadá, who is hardworking, labored
Zeca, esse nem falou
Zeca, on the other hand, did not even speak
Era só jogar a rede e puxar
All they had to do was cast the net and pull it in
Era só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
All they had to do was cast the net and pull it in
Só jogar a rede e puxar a rede
Just cast the net and pull it in
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joao Oliveira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind