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.
Ninguém Segura Este País
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
que está por cima, meu bem, eu também acho
segurando a barra dessa rima
deve haver algum pernambucano por baixo
um sergipano por fora
um maranhense de lado
um rio-grandense de toca
um paulista ocupado
um mineiro calado
um catarinense tímido
um amazonense úmido
cada qual no seu perfeito estado natural
entra baiano, sai ano
mais um carnaval
de lascar o cano
In Gilberto Gil's song "Ninguém Segura Este País" ("No One Can Hold This Country"), he plays with the idea that Bahia, a state in Brazil, is on top and leading the way, while suggesting there must be other states supporting it from underneath. The opening line, "é moda dizer que baiano está por cima" ("it's fashionable to say that Bahians are on top"), is a rhetorical device used to introduce this idea. He then adds, "segurando a barra dessa rima / deve haver algum pernambucano por baixo" ("holding up the weight of this rhyme / there must be someone from Pernambuco supporting from below"), acknowledging the unique contributions that other states make to Brazil's cultural heritage.
Each verse highlights a state and its characteristics, such as "um sergipano por fora" ("someone from Sergipe on the outside") and "um amazonense úmido" ("a moist person from Amazonas"). The choice of each state represents its distinct cultural, linguistic, and geographical features. The song emphasizes Brazil's diversity, through the lens of the carnival season, which unites the country every year. The last line, "de lascar o cano" ("it's outrageous"), is a playful way of acknowledging that, regardless of their differences, the carnival can be enjoyed by everyone.
Overall, "Ninguém Segura Este País" celebrates Brazil's diversity and cultural richness, highlighting Gilberto Gil's admiration for his country's people and their music. The song encourages the idea that everyone has a place in Brazil, and each region, state, and person contributes to make the country thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
é moda dizer que baiano está por cima
It's trendy to say that Bahians are on top.
que está por cima, meu bem, eu também acho
Yes, my love, I agree that they are on top.
segurando a barra dessa rima
Holding up the weight of this rhyme.
deve haver algum pernambucano por baixo
There must be someone from Pernambuco underneath.
um sergipano por fora
A Serigipan on the outside
um maranhense de lado
A Maranhense standing aside
um rio-grandense de toca
A Rio Grande native with a cap
um carioca pirado
A crazy Carioca
um paulista ocupado
A busy Paulista
um mineiro calado
A silent Mineiro
um catarinense tímido
A shy Catarinense
um amazonense úmido
A humid Amazon native
cada qual no seu perfeito estado natural
Each one in their perfect natural state
entra baiano, sai ano
Year after year, come the Bahians
mais um carnaval
Yet another Carnival
de lascar o cano
That will wear you out
Writer(s): Gilberto Gil
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alberto Valença Neto
e haja paraíba porreta nesse brasil lindo!