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.
Ojú Obá
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
È tanto prazer
Que seu canto me dá
Vou seguir sua luz
Sua força conduz
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Sua estrela vai brilhar
Meu olhar resplandescer
Reluzente Ojú Obá
Ilumine o meu viver
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
Eu quero ir com você
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
Eu quero ir com você
The song Oju-Obá by Gilberto Gil is a vibrant and energetic tribute to the Afoxé Oju-Obá, a historic Afro-Brazilian carnival group. The opening lines proclaim the beauty and pleasure that the group's song brings, followed by the promise to follow their light and let their strength be the guide. The chorus repeats the name of the group, expressing the idea that as they arrive in Salvador, the city will come alive with their presence and their star will shine brightly, illuminating everything around them. The song is a celebration of the power of music and the joy of community, as well as an acknowledgement of the rich cultural traditions of Brazil's African heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
É bonito de ver
It's beautiful to see
È tanto prazer
So much pleasure
Que seu canto me dá
That your singing gives me
Vou seguir sua luz
I will follow your light
Sua força conduz
Your strength leads
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Salvador vai se acender
Salvador will light up
Sua estrela vai brilhar
Your star will shine
Meu olhar resplandescer
My gaze will shine
Reluzente Ojú Obá
Radiant Ojú Obá
Ilumine o meu viver
Illuminate my life
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Arrived, Xangô Aganjú Obá arrived
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
It was the people of Zambi who called
Eu quero ir com você
I want to go with you
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Arrived, Xangô Aganjú Obá arrived
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
It was the people of Zambi who called
Eu quero ir com você
I want to go with you
Contributed by Elijah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mecontalua3719
É bonito de ver
È tanto prazer
Que seu canto me dá
Vou seguir sua luz
Sua força conduz
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Salvador vai se acender
Sua estrela vai brilhar
Meu olhar resplandescer
Reluzente Ojú Obá
Ilumine o meu viver
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
Eu quero ir com você
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
Eu quero ir com você
@tropicalslima
Quem leu JORGE AMADO sabe dizer o que é OJU OBÁ... São os OLHOS DE XANGÔ, enxergando além do além. AXÉ, minha BAHIA!
@giselatapioca
Música é reza. Eu rezo todo dia. Te amo Gilberto Gil 🧡🌟🌿🔥
@angelaaguadoce5370
Poeta maravilhoso! Que o sagrado lhe proteja sempre com saúde e vitalidade,abençoada voz, abençoado Orí que cria letras e canções eternas❤
@vavafilho
angela aguadoce
Gil é mesmo incrível, mas essa canção é de Edil Pacheco e Paulo César Pinheiro.
@yehanmanrim
É um rasgo de emoção
@welaynnemuck9213
Linda , Linda letra, salve meu pai xango
@alexaraujo8188
Linda canção e na voz de Gil, então! Quanta perfeição e harmonia!
@milyx3382
Axé!!! ❤
@mecontalua3719
É bonito de ver
È tanto prazer
Que seu canto me dá
Vou seguir sua luz
Sua força conduz
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Afoxé Ojú Obá
Salvador vai se acender
Sua estrela vai brilhar
Meu olhar resplandescer
Reluzente Ojú Obá
Ilumine o meu viver
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
Eu quero ir com você
Chegou, Xangô Aganjú Obá chegou
Foi povo de Zambi quem chamou
Eu quero ir com você
@Fanquesfair
É bonito lhe ver, não "de ver". Abraços !