Born José Gomes Filho, in Paraíba, Brazil, a region in the northeast of the country, Jackson do Pandeiro's mother, Flora Mourão, was a musician and singer who played several percussion instruments.
As a child he had originally wanted to play the accordion, but his parents could not afford it and bought him a pandeiro, a type of tambourine, in its place. He began playing music with the zabumba, however, in order to assist his mother in performances. When Jackson was 13 years old his family moved to Campina Grande, a city in Paraíba. After the move, Jackson lived in João Pessoa, where he performed in various cabarets and on the radio; and also to Recife, where he eventually began working in a radio station and took the pseudonym of Jackson do Pandeiro. Originally his mother had nicknamed him "Jack", after the actor Jack Perry, who played parts in cowboy films which were popular in Brazil during Jackson's youth. He had his first hit with "Sebastiana", a song based on traditional Brazilian rhythms.
The single was followed by a number of albums that were successful with audiences throughout Brazil. Soon after, he joined his future wife Almira Castilhos de Albuquerque on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, financed by his recent success. The two had been performing in a duo together and were eventually married in October 1954. However, the duo and marriage were jointly ended in 1967, and Jackson's popularity diminished soon after. Jackson did find some greater success later, though, when the popular singer and guitarist Gilberto Gil, as well as the singer Gal Costa, recorded some of his material in 1972.
Discography
1954: Sua Majestade - o Rei do Ritmo
1955: Jackson do Pandeiro
1956: Forró do Jackson
1957: Jackson e Almira - Os Donos do Ritmo
1958: Forró do Jackson
1959: Jackson do Pandeiro
1960: Cantando de Norte a Sul
1961: Ritmo, Melodia e a Personalidade de Jackson do Pandeiro
1961: Mais Ritmo
1962: A Alegria da Casa
1962: ...É Batucada!
1963: Forró do Zé Lagoa
1964: Tem Jabaculê
1964: Coisas Nossas
1965: ...E Vamos Nós!
1966: O Cabra da Peste
1967: A Braza do Norte
1970: Aqui Tô Eu
1971: O Dono do Forró
1972: Sina de Cigarra
1973: Tem Mulher, Tô Lá
1974: Nossas Raízes
1975: A Tuba da Muié
1976: É Sucesso
1977: Um Nordestino Alegre
1978: Alegria Minha Gente
1980: São João Autêntico de Jackson do Pandeiro
1981: Isso é que é Forró!
Êle Disse
Jackson do Pandeiro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O povo de quem fui escravo
Não será mais escravo de ninguém
Para todo operário do Brasil
Ele disse uma frase que conforta
Quando a fome bater na vossa porta
O meu nome é capaz de vos unir
Que na hora precisa estou presente
Sou o guia eterno desta gente
Com meu sangue o direito eu defendi
Ele disse com toda consciência
Com o povo eu deixo a resistência
O meu sangue é uma remissão
A todos que fizeram reação
Eu desejo um futuro cheio de glória
Minha morte é bandeira da vitória
Deixo a vida pra entrar na história
E ao ódio eu respondo com o perdão
The song "Ele Disse" by Jackson do Pandeiro is a powerful anthem of resistance and hope, sung by a man who has fought for his freedom and the freedom of his people. In the opening lines of the song, he declares that the people who once enslaved him will be free, and that he will always be there to support and guide them. He speaks directly to the working people of Brazil, offering them solace in times of hunger and hardship, and reminding them that his name is a unifying force that will bring them together.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more resolute in his determination to resist oppression and fight for justice. He tells his listeners that he is leaving them with the legacy of his struggle, and that his blood is a symbol of their right to a better life. He urges them to continue to resist and stand up for themselves, even in the face of hatred and violence. In the final lines of the song, Jackson do Pandeiro transcends his own death to become a symbol of victory, forgiveness, and hope.
Overall, "Ele Disse" is a powerful statement of resistance and resilience, sung by a man who has fought for his freedom and the freedom of his people. The lyrics are a reminder that, no matter how difficult things may seem, it is always possible to stand up for what is right and to create a better future for ourselves and those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Ele disse muito bem:
He said with great conviction:
O povo de quem fui escravo
The people whom I once served as a slave,
Não será mais escravo de ninguém
Will never be enslaved by anyone again.
Para todo operário do Brasil
To every working man in Brazil,
Ele disse uma frase que conforta
He spoke a comforting phrase,
Quando a fome bater na vossa porta
When hunger knocks on your doorstep,
O meu nome é capaz de vos unir
My name has the power to unite you.
Meus amigos por certo vão sentir
My friends will surely feel
Que na hora precisa estou presente
That I am present in times of need,
Sou o guia eterno desta gente
I am the eternal guide of this people,
Com meu sangue o direito eu defendi
I defended their rights with my own blood.
Ele disse com toda consciência
He spoke with complete awareness,
Com o povo eu deixo a resistência
I leave behind the spirit of resistance among the people,
O meu sangue é uma remissão
My blood is a redemption,
A todos que fizeram reação
For all those who fought back,
Eu desejo um futuro cheio de glória
I wish for a future full of glory,
Minha morte é bandeira da vitória
My death is the banner of victory,
Deixo a vida pra entrar na história
I leave my life behind to enter history,
E ao ódio eu respondo com o perdão
And to hatred, I respond with forgiveness.
Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.