Born on July 13, 1946, in Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais, João Bosco's profession was engineering when he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where his songs were also recorded by Elis Regina and were a success. He soon became admired as a versatile vocalist and a dynamic performer. João Bosco has been noted for "his singular fusion of Arab culture, Afro-American music and Brazilian styles bossa nova," influenced by American jazz.
Alferes
João Bosco Lyrics
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Espera pelo batizado
E a derrama pesa sobre as lajes e a procissão
Vila Rica reza rente aos muros da guarnição
O por do sol apagou os sinos:
Dez vidas dar
Ai Marília, as liras e o amor
E a mesma voz virá
De muito além do desterro e do sal
Mais do que foi
Alferes, Ouro Preto em sombras
Espera pelo batizado
Ainda que tarde sobre a morte do sonhador
Ainda que tarde sobre as bocas do traidor
Raios de sol brilharão nos sinos:
Dez vias dar
Ai Marília, as liras e o amor
Não posso mais sufocar
E a minha voz irá
Pra muito além do desterro e do sal
Maior que a voz do rei
The song Alferes by João Bosco tells the story of two cities, Vila Rica and Ouro Preto, both in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the period of the "Derrama", when the Portuguese crown demanded heavy taxes from the gold mined in the region. The first verse describes Vila Rica, "in shadows", waiting for the religious ceremony of the baptism, while the weight of the taxes imposed on the people can be felt in the air. The people pray close to the walls of the military garrison, and the sunset means the bells have to stop ringing, as the sum of ten lives must be paid to the crown. Then, the chorus mentions Marília, the woman the singer loves, and how their love and music cannot be silenced, even in the face of oppression.
The second verse talks about Ouro Preto, also in shadows, awaiting the baptism, but now with a sense of resignation over the death of a "dreamer" and the betrayal of someone. However, even if these events come late, the rays of sun will shine on the bells in Ouro Preto, and "ten lives must be given". Again, the chorus talks about Marília and how the singer cannot suffocate their love anymore, and how his voice will be heard beyond the exile and the sea, louder than the voice of the king.
The song addresses themes such as loss, resistance, and the importance of love and music in difficult times, as well as the historical context of the mining cycle and the oppression imposed by the Portuguese crown.
Line by Line Meaning
Alferes, Vila Rica em sombras
Alferes, the city of Vila Rica is dark and shadowed
Espera pelo batizado
Waiting for the baptism
E a derrama pesa sobre as lajes e a procissão
And the royal tax weighs on the stones and the procession
Vila Rica reza rente aos muros da guarnição
Vila Rica prays close to the walls of the garrison
O por do sol apagou os sinos:
The sunset extinguished the bells:
Dez vidas dar
To give ten lives
Ai Marília, as liras e o amor
Oh Marilia, the lyres and the love
Ninguém consegue enforcar
No one can hang
E a mesma voz virá
And the same voice will come
De muito além do desterro e do sal
From far beyond the exile and the salt
Mais do que foi
More than it was
Alferes, Ouro Preto em sombras
Alferes, the city of Ouro Preto is dark and shadowed
Espera pelo batizado
Waiting for the baptism
Ainda que tarde sobre a morte do sonhador
Even if it's late for the dreamer's death
Ainda que tarde sobre as bocas do traidor
Even if it's late for the traitor's lips
Raios de sol brilharão nos sinos:
Rays of sun will shine on the bells:
Dez vias dar
To give ten lives
Ai Marília, as liras e o amor
Oh Marilia, the lyres and the love
Não posso mais sufocar
I can no longer suffocate
E a minha voz irá
And my voice will go
Pra muito além do desterro e do sal
Far beyond the exile and the salt
Maior que a voz do rei
Bigger than the king's voice
Contributed by Hudson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
akinhwan. com
bless your soul for gathering these tracks together!!!!!!!!! I'm about to cry :D in happiness
Sah Braz
Meu deus como eu amo esse artista! Quem viveu na roça sabe oq é, sem mais....
Aníbal Gomes Filho
SALVE, SALVE ELOIR DREYER!!! O mundo ainda tem salvação enquanto pessoas apreciadoras da arte musical, das obras primas como João Bosco, entre muitos outros. Parabéns!
Vinicius Willian
O coisa boa, por favor vamos trazer a cultura brasileira novamente, nos ajudem. Viva BR.
Eder
um dos melhores discos da Musica Brasileira
Vitor Campos Lino
O choro é coletivo!
eva puyuelo
obrigada <3