Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and song… Read Full Bio ↴Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter, and Brazil's former minister of culture.

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.

Miserere Nobis
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Miserere-re nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis
É no sempre será, ô, iaiá
É no sempre, sempre serão

Já não somos como na chegada
Calados e magros, esperando o jantar
Na borda do prato se limita a janta

As espinhas do peixe de volta pro mar
As espinhas do peixe de volta pro mar

Miserere-re nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis
É no sempre será, ô, iaiá
É no sempre, sempre serão

Tomara que um dia de um dia seja
Para todos e sempre a mesma cerveja
Tomara que um dia de um dia não
Para todos e sempre metade do pão

Tomara que um dia de um dia seja
Que seja de linho a toalha da mesa
Tomara que um dia de um dia não
Na mesa da gente tem banana e feijão

Miserere-re nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis
É no sempre será, ô, iaiá
É no sempre, sempre serão

Já não somos como na chegada
O sol já é claro nas águas quietas do mangue
Derramemos vinho no linho da mesa
Molhada de vinho e manchada de sangue
Molhada de vinho e manchada de sangue

Miserere-re nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis
É no sempre será, ô, iaiá
É no sempre, sempre serão

Bê, rê, a, Bra
Zê, i, lê, zil
Fê, u, fu
Zê, i, lê, zil
Cê, a, ca
Nê, agá, a, o, til, ão

Ora pro nobis
Ora pro nobis

Ora pro nobis
Ah ah, ah ah
Miserere-re nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis

É no sempre será, ô, iaiá
É no sempre, sempre serão

Overall Meaning

The song "Miserere Nobis" by Gilberto Gil is a lament for the state of poverty and inequality faced by many Brazilians. The title itself, "Miserere Nobis," is a Latin phrase meaning "have mercy on us." The repeated refrain of "ora, ora pro nobis" (pray for us) further underscores the plea for help and compassion. Gil speaks of the stark difference between the arrival of impoverished people, hungry and quiet, and the current state where they are no longer quiet, but have developed a voice to demand basic human necessities.

The verse that talks about throwing the fish bones back into the sea is a reference to the poverty that forces people to waste even the most basic of resources. The hope for equality is expressed through the wish that "one day, the same beer will be for everyone," and the hope that everyone will have a full meal, a linen tablecloth, and banana and beans. The hopeful tone of the song suggests that even though there is still a long way to go, progress can be made through concerted efforts.

Line by Line Meaning

Miserere-re nobis
Have mercy on us

Ora, ora pro nobis
Pray for us

É no sempre será, ô, iaiá
It is and always will be, hey

É no sempre, sempre serão
It is always going to be

Já não somos como na chegada
We are not like when we arrived

Calados e magros, esperando o jantar
Silent and thin, waiting for dinner

Na borda do prato se limita a janta
Dinner is limited to the edge of the plate

As espinhas do peixe de volta pro mar
The fish bones go back to the sea

Tomara que um dia de um dia seja
Hopefully one day will be

Para todos e sempre a mesma cerveja
For everyone, always the same beer

Tomara que um dia de um dia não
Hopefully one day won't be