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.
Refazenda
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Acataremos teu ato
Nós também somos do mato
Como o pato e o leão
Aguardaremos
Brincaremos no regato
Até que nos tragam frutos
Teu amor, teu coração
Teu recolhimento é justamente
O significado
Da palavra temporão
Enquanto o tempo
Não trouxer teu abacate
Amanhecerá tomate
E anoitecerá mamão
Abacateiro
Sabes ao que estou me referindo
Porque todo tamarindo tem
O seu agosto azedo
Cedo, antes que o janeiro
Doce manga venha ser também
Abacateiro
Serás meu parceiro solitário
Nesse itinerário
Da leveza pelo are
Abacateiro
Saiba que na refazenda
Tu me ensina a fazer renda
Que eu te ensino a namorar
Refazendo tudo
Refazenda
Refazenda toda
Guariroba
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song Refazenda, at first glance, might seem like a simple ode to the avocado tree. However, upon closer inspection, the song uses the avocado tree as a metaphor for the cycle of life, the passing of time, and the importance of patience and acceptance.
The first stanza starts with "Abacateiro" ("avocado tree" in Portuguese) and goes on to say "we will abide by your act" and "we too are from the woods, like the duck and the lion." This could be interpreted as the tree, as a symbol of nature, being the master of its own destiny and the humans around it accepting this fact.
The second stanza explains that they will wait, play in the stream, and enjoy life until the tree bears fruit- its love and heart. The third stanza continues with the theme of time and the cycle of life, stating that until the avocados grow, it will be tomato in the morning and papaya at night. This verse talks about accepting things as they come, even if it's not what you expect, as well as emphasizing the importance of waiting and patience.
In conclusion, Refazenda is a beautiful piece of poetry that uses the avocado tree as a metaphor for the complexities of life. It encourages us to embrace the natural cycle of things and to be patient and accepting while waiting for things to come to fruition.
Line by Line Meaning
Abacateiro
The singer starts addressing the avocado tree as a symbol of nature.
Acataremos teu ato
We will accept and follow your ways and actions.
Nós também somos do mato
We also come from the forest, like animals such as ducks and lions.
Como o pato e o leão
We are all creatures of the forest.
Aguardaremos
We will wait patiently.
Brincaremos no regato
We will play in the stream.
Até que nos tragam frutos
Until the tree gives us its fruit.
Teu amor, teu coração
The tree's love and heart is what will nourish us.
Teu recolhimento é justamente
The tree's ability to withdraw is exactly what it means to be a late bloomer.
O significado
This is the real meaning.
Da palavra temporão
The word 'temporão' means that something is late or behind schedule.
Enquanto o tempo
While the time passes.
Não trouxer teu abacate
If the tree doesn't bring us the avocado.
Amanhecerá tomate
We will wake up to find tomatoes instead.
E anoitecerá mamão
We will go to sleep with papayas hanging from the tree.
Sabes ao que estou me referindo
The tree knows what the singer is talking about.
Porque todo tamarindo tem
Because every tamarind has.
O seu agosto azedo
Its sour taste, which comes in August.
Cedo, antes que o janeiro
Early, before January comes.
Doce manga venha ser também
Before even the sweet mango becomes sour.
Serás meu parceiro solitário
The singer will find solitude with the tree.
Nesse itinerário
In this path.
Da leveza pelo ar
Of the lightness in the air.
Saiba que na refazenda
The tree must know that in the agrarian reform.
Tu me ensina a fazer renda
The tree teaches the singer how to make money.
Que eu te ensino a namorar
In return, the singer will teach the tree how to date.
Refazendo tudo
In this journey of re-making everything.
Refazenda
In the agrarian reform.
Refazenda toda
All of the land and crops will be re-made.
Guariroba
The guariroba palm tree, which is native to Brazil.
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Gilberto Gil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind