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 Pato
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

O pato vinha cantando alegremente, quém, quém
Quando o marreco sorridente pediu
Pra entrar também no samba

O ganso gostou da dupla e fez também quém, quém
Olhou pro cisne e disse assim "vem, vem"
E o quarteto ficará bem, muito bom, muito bem

Na beira da lagoa foram ensaiar para começar
O tico-tico no fubá

A voz do pato era mesmo um desacato
Jogo de cena com o ganso era mato

Mas eu gostei do final
Quando caíram n'água
Ensaiando o vocal

Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém

O pato vinha cantando alegremente, quém, quém
Quando o marreco sorridente pediu
Pra entrar também no samba

O ganso gostou da dupla e fez também quém, quém
Olhou pro cisne e disse assim "vem, vem"
E o quarteto ficará bem, muito bom, muito bem

Na beira da lagoa foram ensaiar para começar
O tico-tico no fubá

A voz do pato era mesmo um desacato
Jogo de cena com o ganso era mato

Mas eu gostei do final
Quando caíram n'água
Ensaiando o vocal

Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém

O pato vinha cantando alegremente, quém, quém
Quando o marreco sorridente pediu
Pra entrar também no samba

O ganso gostou da dupla e fez também quém, quém
Olhou pro cisne e disse assim "vem, vem"
E o quarteto ficará bem, muito bom, muito bem

Na beira da lagoa foram ensaiar para começar
O tico-tico no fubá

A voz do pato era mesmo um desacato
Jogo de cena com o ganso era mato

Mas eu gostei do final
Quando caíram n'água
Ensaiando o vocal

Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém

Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém
Quém, quém, quém, quém

O pato

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's "O Pato" tell a playful story of a duck, a drake, a goose, and a swan who come together to start a samba band. The duck starts off singing happily, until the drake asks to join in the samba. The goose, upon hearing this, also wants to join in, and the swan invites himself as well. The quartet proceeds to practice for their performance of the popular Brazilian song "Tico-Tico no Fubá" (a fast-paced samba tune).

The lyrics go on to describe how the duck's voice is outrageous, and the goose and drake have their own playful interplay, but the singer still enjoys the whole experience. The song ends with the quartet falling into the water as they practice their vocalizations.

The song is a lighthearted celebration of music and community, and it has become a classic in Brazilian popular music, often played at Carnival and other festive occasions.

Lyrics © Editora e Importadora Musical Fermata do Brasil Ltda.
Written by: Jayme Silva, Neuza Teixeira

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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