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.
One Drop
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel it in the one drop
And we'll still find time to rap
We're makin' the one stop,
The generation gap
Now feel this drumbeat
As it beats within,
Playin' a riddim,
I know Jah's never let us down
Pull your rights from wrong
(I know Jah would never let us down)
Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!
They made their world so hard (so hard)
Every day we got to keep on fighting (fighting)
They made their world so hard (so hard)
Every day the people are dyin' (dying), yeah!
(It dread, dread) For hunger (dread, dread) and starvation
(Dread, dread, dread, dread)
Lamentation (dread dread)
But read it in Revelation (dread, dread, dread, dread)
You'll find your redemption
And then you give us the teachings of His Majesty,
For we no want no devil philosophy
A you fe give us the teachings of His Majesty,
A we no want no devil philosophy
Feel it in the one drop
And we still find time to rap
We're making the one stop,
And we filling the gap
So feel this drumbeat
As it beats within
Playing a riddim, uh!
Fighting against ism and skism,
Singing, I know Jah's never let us down
Pull your rights from wrong
I know Jah's never let us down.
Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!
They made their world so hard
Every day (we got to keep on fighting), every day
They made their world so hard
Every day (the people are dying), eh!
(Dread, dread, it dread, dread) Oh, whoa! Make dem a go on so
(Dread, dread, it dread on dread) Ah, whoa!
(Dread, dread) I'll walk (it dread, dread)
Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, ah whoa!
(Dread, dread) Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, eh!
Give us the teachings of His Majesty, with a stick-up!
We no want no devil philosophy. Can you hear?
Give us the teachings of His Majesty,
For we no want no devil philosophy
Gilberto Gil's One Drop is a reggae song dominated by the drumbeat and rhythm that encourages listeners to nod their head to the beat while delivering a message of hope and resistance against the system. The lyrics suggest that there is a one-drop beat that unites people and helps fill in the gap created by a generation gap. This beat is a resounding message of resistance against the system and discrimination (ism and skism) and that fighting against them is necessary. Gil's faith and spirituality are present in his belief that Jah (God) has never let them down and that it is their responsibility to "pull your rights from wrong," meaning that they need to differentiate between what is right and wrong.
The song's theme revolves around the idea of inequality and the difficulties that come with choosing the right path. It talks about how the oppressive nature of the world has made things harder for everyone, leading to poverty, hunger, and starvation. The use of "dread, dread" in the song's chorus suggests a sense of fear or terror associated with the current situation while providing a rallying call to action. The lyrics focus on the need for spiritual guidance and teachings to help them navigate the system and resist it effectively. The song concludes by stating that they do not want any 'devil philosophy' but rather teachings of Jah's Majesty that will help them overcome and resist.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel it in the one drop
Sense the rhythm of the music and the unity it brings
And we'll still find time to rap
Despite the challenges we face, we will continue to communicate and express ourselves
We're making the one stop,
We are stopping at one place to come together
The generation gap
The division and difference between generations
Now feel this drumbeat
Feel the pulse of the music
As it beats within,
As it resonates within us
Playin' a riddim,
Creating a groove
Resisting against the system, ooh-wee!
Rejecting and fighting against the oppression and injustice of society
I know Jah's never let us down
I have faith that God will always protect and guide us
Pull your rights from wrong
Choose what is right and just, and fight against what is wrong and oppressive
(I know Jah would never let us down)
(Reinforcing that God will always be with us)
They made their world so hard (so hard)
Those in power have created a difficult, oppressive world
Every day we got to keep on fighting (fighting)
We must persist and resist every day
Every day the people are dyin' (dying), yeah!
People are suffering and dying every day because of the oppression of the powerful
(It dread, dread) For hunger (dread, dread) and starvation
(It is scary, scary) that people suffer from hunger and starvation
(Dread, dread, dread, dread)/Lamentation (dread dread)
(Scary, scary, scary, scary)/Grief and sorrow
But read it in Revelation (dread, dread, dread, dread)
Find hope in the book of Revelation in the Bible
You'll find your redemption
You will find salvation and liberation
And then you give us the teachings of His Majesty,
And then you share the wisdom and teachings of God
For we no want no devil philosophy
We do not want or accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful
A you fe give us the teachings of His Majesty,
You should share the wisdom and teachings of God with us
A we no want no devil philosophy
We do not want to hear or accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful
And we still find time to rap
We will continue to communicate and express ourselves despite the challenges
We're making the one stop,
We are stopping at one place to come together
And we filling the gap
We are bridging the division and difference between generations
So feel this drumbeat
Sense the pulse of the music
As it beats within
As it resonates within us
Playing a riddim,
Creating a groove
Fighting against ism and skism,
Rejecting and fighting against any form of oppression and division
Singing, I know Jah's never let us down
Singing in faith that God will always protect and guide us
Pull your rights from wrong
Choose what is right and just, and fight against what is wrong and oppressive
I know Jah's never let us down.
Reinforcing that God will always be with us
They made their world so hard
Those in power have created a difficult, oppressive world
Every day (we got to keep on fighting), every day
We must persist and resist every day
They made their world so hard
Those in power have created a difficult, oppressive world
Every day (the people are dying), eh!
People are suffering and dying every day because of the oppression of the powerful
(Dread, dread, it dread, dread) Oh, whoa! Make dem a go on so
(Scary, scary, it is scary, scary) Oh, whoa! They continue to oppress and mistreat us
(Dread, dread, it dread on dread) Ah, whoa!
(Scary, scary, it is even scarier) Oh, whoa!
(Dread, dread) I'll walk (it dread, dread)
(Scary, scary) I will continue to move and fight on (it is scary, scary)
Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, ah whoa!
Oh, whoa! We intimidate and scare our oppressors
(Dread, dread) Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, eh!
(Scary, scary) Oh, whoa! We intimidate and scare them
Give us the teachings of His Majesty, with a stick-up!
Share the wisdom and teachings of God with force if necessary
We no want no devil philosophy. Can you hear?
We do not accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful. Do you understand?
Give us the teachings of His Majesty,
Share the wisdom and teachings of God with us
For we no want no devil philosophy
We do not want or accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beto Lopes
Gil, brocou nesse cd! Sei que Bob, é insubstituível mas...gil, mandou muito bem nesse trabalho!
Paolo Brama
What a brilliant cover of a marvellous song! Awesome
Pepa perico cover reggea rock instrumental
Tremendo casi perfecto 👏👏🎶🎶🎶🍻🏄♂️🌊😎
Ronaldo Estanislau
Brasil 2020, sofrendo com o sistema correto imposto por governantes e pessoas, mas vivendo uma vida de paz e compaixao que nao e compreendido por todos....vuva e ame os seus que esse e o proposito da vida......
Blanca Villanueva
Lo.maximo gil bendiciones por ser yi y por tu tan arte de cantar desde Peru
Thomas Porto
Bom dimaisss
Alda C
Amei
Régis FERNANDEZ
j'adore cette version!!!
Mateus Solto
Classic 🔥
juan pablo
The best intro!