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.
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bananada de goiaba
Goiabada de marmelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Boneca de pano é gente
Sabugo de milho é gente
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Rios de prata piratas
Vôo sideral na mata
Universo paralelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
No país da fantasia
Num estado de euforia
Cidade Polichinelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau
Do Pica-pau
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau
Do Pica-pau
Do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's "Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo" celebrate the magical and imaginative world of childhood. The first stanza lists different types of fruit preserves, such as "marmelada de banana" (banana marmalade) and "goiabada de marmelo" (quince paste with guava), highlighting the abundance of nature and tasty treats in the "sitio" (small farm). The refrain "Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo" is repeated throughout the song, acting as a mantra or a joyful affirmation of this special place.
The second stanza features unlikely characters that are seen as alive and meaningful within this world: "Boneca de pano é gente" (a rag doll is a person) and "sabugo de milho é gente" (corn cob is a person). This displays the childlike ability to imbue objects with personality and to inhabit a playful reality. The beauty of the sunrise is also celebrated, adding a touch of wonder and reverence for nature.
The last two stanzas mention more fantastical elements, such as "rios de prata piratas" (silver rivers of pirates) and "vôo sideral na mata" (space flight in the woods), invoking a world beyond our own, where anything is possible. The mention of "Universo paralelo" (parallel universe) and "cidade Polichinelo" (Polichinelo City, a reference to the Italian puppet character) furthers this sense of surrealism and magic.
Overall, Gilberto Gil's "Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo" celebrates the limitless creativity and sense of wonder of childhood, where even the most mundane and inanimate objects come alive, and anything is possible in the magical "sitio."
Line by Line Meaning
Marmelada de banana
A blend of two distinct flavors, just like the variety of wonders found at Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Bananada de goiaba
A fusion of two different kinds of fruits, akin to the mingling of diverse characters in Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Goiabada de marmelo
A mixture of three distinct fruits, similar to the assortment of adventures that can be found at Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
A magical, otherworldly place that is full of surprises, as emphasized by repeating this line twice
Boneca de pano é gente
Even inanimate objects hold significance and come to life, just like the dolls at Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Sabugo de milho é gente
Everything and everyone has value and worth, even the seemingly insignificant like corn husks, a prevailing belief at Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
O sol nascente é tão belo
The beauty of nature is appreciated, as seen through the admiration of the sunrise in Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Rios de prata piratas
The rivers in Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo are abundant and valuable, yet are also dangerous and subject to intrusion by pirates
Vôo sideral na mata
In the dense forest of Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo, space travel and celestial exploration are possible
Universo paralelo
The magical realm of Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo exists in parallel with the regular world
No país da fantasia
Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo is a place of fantasy and imagination, where anything can happen
Num estado de euforia
The excitement and thrill of being in Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo is palpable
Cidade Polichinelo
The bustling town within Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo is teeming with life and character
Do Pica-pau
This line emphasizes the central focus of Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo on the bird character
Do Pica-pau Amarelo
The yellow color of the titular bird serves as a defining characteristic of Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luiz Felipe Basso
Marmelada de banana, bananada de goiaba
Goiabada de marmelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Boneca de pano é gente, sabugo de milho é gente
O Sol nascente é tão belo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Rios de prata, pirata
Voo sideral na mata, universo paralelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
No país da fantasia, num estado de euforia
Cidade polichinelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Brasil
(Correto)
Marmelada de banana
Bananada de goiaba
Goiabada de marmelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Boneca de pano é gente
Sabugo de milho é gente
O sol nascente é tão belo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Rios de prata pirata
Voo sideral na mata
Universo paralelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
No país da fantasia
Num estado de euforia
Cidade polichinelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo
Felipe Santos
Essa música é um patrimônio cultural do Brasil !
Carlos Rudio
Concordo plenamente
sulamitha mil escritos
Sulamitha
sulamitha mil escritos
Sulamitha lido
Rafinha Gamer
@sulamitha mil escritos tgffyg
Rafinha Gamer
@sulamitha mil escritos ttueye😵🧚♀️👼😡
Cami Cami
"O sol nascente é tão belo"
E eu sempre cantei " O sol nasce, dia tão belo" KKKK🤡🤡
유아리
E eu que cantava "o sol nasce amarelo" 😐
Ninguém
Tbm
Camila
Eu dissia o ''sol nasce e tom amarelo'' kkkkkkkk