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.

O Mar E O Lago
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rugas no rosto moreno
Ondas no lago sereno
Vento repentino
Ares de menino

Fugas de brigas de rua
Luas e luas e luas
Repentina paz

Meu velho rapaz

O velho Mário Lago
O velho, o mar e o lago
O mar e o lago

A alma bem resolvida

A embarcação ancorada
Mar incorporado
Mares do passado
Aqui agora o presente
Lago tranquilo da mente
Paz no coração
Meu amado irmão

O velho Mário Lago

O velho, o mar e o lago
O mar e o lago

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's "O Mar E O Lago" speak of the beauty of nature and the peace that it can bring to a person. The opening lines describe the wrinkles on a dark-skinned face, juxtaposed with the serenity of the still lake whose surface is gently stirred by the sudden gusts of wind. The imagery seems to suggest the passing of time and the changes that come with it.

The following lines mention "fights in the streets" and "moons and moons and moons", before arriving at a "sudden peace" and an addressing of "my old man". The reference to the "old man" is revealed later to be inspired by the Brazilian songwriter and actor, Mário Lago. Here, the lyrics communicate a sense of nostalgia and longing for simpler times, perhaps childhood.

The final stanza speaks of "the anchored boat", suggesting grounding in the present, while "seas of the past" are incorporated into the person, and a "tranquil lake" in the mind brings "peace in the heart". The line "meu amado irmão" (my beloved brother) further emphasizes the connection and love between the singer and Mário Lago, who the song is dedicated to. Overall, the lyrics seem to be a reflection on life, transience, and the restorative power of nature.

Line by Line Meaning

Rugas no rosto moreno
Wrinkles on the brown face

Ondas no lago sereno
Waves on the calm lake

Vento repentino
Sudden wind

Ares de menino
Air of a boy

Fugas de brigas de rua
Escape from street fights

Luas e luas e luas
Moons and moons and moons

Repentina paz
Sudden peace

Meu velho rapaz
My old boy

O velho Mário Lago
The old Mario Lago

O velho, o mar e o lago
The old, the sea, and the lake

O mar e o lago
The sea and the lake