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.
Tempo Só
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run come crucify the dread
Time alone, oh! time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell (3x)
Time alone, oh! time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
But the ones, who set them up
Time alone, oh! time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell (3x)
Time alone, oh! time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Oh children weep no more
Oh my sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
Saw you settle the score
Oh children weep no more
Weep no more, children weep no more
JAH jamais permitirá que as mãos do terror
Venham sufocar o amor
Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Dirá se irei luz ou permanecerei pó
Se encontrarei Deus ou permanecerei só
Se ainda hei de abraçar minha vó
Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Time alone, oh! time will tell
Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Time alone, oh! time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
The song "Tempo Só" by Gilberto Gil is a social commentary on the power dynamics in society, specifically in Jamaica where Rastafarians were marginalized and discriminated against. The lyrics "JAH would never give power to a baldhead, run come crucify the dread" refer to the idea that those with power or authority (baldheads) would never allow Rastafarians (dreadlocks) to have an equal footing in society. The lyrics suggest the idea that the Rastafarian belief system and appearance were seen as threatening to those in power.
The chorus, "Time alone, oh! time will tell, you think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell" speaks to the idea of how time will eventually reveal the true nature of society and those in power, and that despite the appearance of a utopian society ("heaven"), the reality may be quite different ("hell"). The verses that follow reference the idea of setting up others for failure, and the need for justice and freedom for all.
Overall, "Tempo Só" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that raises issues of social justice and challenges the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
JAH would never give power to a baldhead
God would never give power to someone who is dishonest
Run come crucify the dread
People are quick to judge and punish those who they fear or don't understand
Time alone, oh! time will tell
Only time can reveal the truth
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell (3x)
People often believe they are in a good place, but in reality they are suffering
Back them up, oh not the brothers, but the ones, who set them up
Defend the oppressed, not the oppressors who caused the suffering
Oh children weep no more
Stop being sad and hopeless
Oh my sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree, saw you settle the score
The tree represents the story of the struggle for freedom and the victory over oppression
JAH jamais permitirá que as mãos do terror, Venham sufocar o amor
God will never allow the hands of terror to crush love
Somente o tempo, o tempo só, Dirá se irei luz ou permanecerei pó
Only time will tell if a person's legacy will stand or crumble into dust
Se encontrarei Deus ou permanecerei só, Se ainda hei de abraçar minha vó
Only time will tell if a person will meet their maker and see their loved ones again
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luis Henrique Lustosa
Tempo Só (Time Will Tell)
JAH would never give power to a baldhead
Run come crucify the dread
Time alone, oh! Time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell (3x)
Time alone, oh! Time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Back them up, oh not the brothers
But the ones, who set them up
Time alone, oh! Time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell (3x)
Time alone, oh! Time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Oh children weep no more
Oh my sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
Saw you settle the score
Oh children weep no more
Weep no more, children weep no more
JAH jamais permitirá que as mãos do terror
Venham sufocar o amor
Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Dirá se irei luz ou permanecerei pó
Se encontrarei Deus ou permanecerei só
Se ainda hei de abraçar minha vó
Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Time alone, oh! Time will tell
Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Time alone, oh! Time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
FELIPE
Excelente escolha de msc para o Final da Novela "Um lugar ao Sol" 🌅 "JAH jamais permitirá que as mãos do terror Venham sufocar o amor" 💜🎶
Panteão
não assistir a novela mas esse final foi massa
Pollux Astra
"Somente o tempo, o tempo só
Dirá se irei luz ou permanecerei pó
Se encontrarei Deus ou permanecerei só
Se ainda hei de abraçar minha vó"
Ouvi esses dias no rádio
não chorava faz tempo...
Bianca Hammerschmidt
A sensibilidade do Gil é absurda! Maravilhoso e profundo!
g3on0i4
Gilberto Gil. Que brilhe por muito tempo ainda. É um cara muito humano que sofreu na pele muito preconceito. Mas que sempre leva para sí o que há de bom, mesmo na adversidade.
Luis Henrique Lustosa
Essa música me dá uma paz incrível
CARLA CASSINELLI R.
me encanta su ritmo, sabor, y su pasión en cada interpretación...
Artmosfera
Bob Marley se orgulharia desta bela interpretação
David Franklin
Gilberto Gil mesclou ritmos brasileiros com o reggae de um jeito tal, que ficaram mais bonitas que com Bob Marley.
Ficaram lindas.
Artmosfera
@Camila Rodrigues verdade, é um album atemporal