Jorge Mautner, stage name of Henrique Jorge Mautner (Rio de Janeiro, Januar… Read Full Bio ↴Jorge Mautner, stage name of Henrique Jorge Mautner (Rio de Janeiro, January 17, 1941) is a singer, composer and writer in Brazil.
Son of Anna Illichi of Yugoslav origin and Catholic, and Paul Mautner, an austrian jew, Jorge Mautner was born shortly after his parents landed in Brazil: "I was born here a month after my parents arrived in Brazil, fleeing the Holocaust" .
In 1948, his parents divorced. Anna married the violinist Henri Muller and moved to São Paulo. Henri George teaches George the violin.
Mautner begins to write his first book, "Deus da chuva e da morte" at age 15. The book was published in 1962 and consists, with "Kaos" (1964) and "Narciso em tarde cinza" (1966), of the trilogy now known as the Kaos mythology.
In 1962, adheres to the Brazilian Communist Party, invited by Professor Mario Schenberg to participate, with Jose Roberto Aguilar, in a cultural cell in the Central Committee.
After the 1964 military coup, Mautner is arrested. He is released under the condition that he will express himself more "carefully". In 1966, he goes to the United States, where he works at UNESCO and works in translation for Brazilian books. He also gave lectures on these books for the Inter-American Literature. Since 1967, he starts working as secretary to the poet Robert Lowell; he meets Paul Goodman, sociologist, poet and anarchist peace activist of the New Left, from whom he receives significant influence.
In 1970, he goes to London, where he approaches Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Back to Brazil he starts writing in the journal O Pasquim. At this time, Nelson Jacobina knows who will be his musical partner in the following decades.
On December 10,1973, the toughest period of military dictatorship, he participates in the Banquete dos Mendigos, show-manifesto conceived and directed by Jards Macalé, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With UN support, the show takes place at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, transformed into "free territory", and results in double-album recorded live. The album was banned for six years by the military regime and only released in 1979.
Mautner releases in 1987, with Gilberto Gil, the movement "Figa Brasil" on the show O Poeta e o Esfomeado. Figa Brasil is linked to the Kaos movement, and aims to discuss issues related to Brazilian culture.

Among his musical achievements recorded by great names of MPB are included the songs O vampiro (Caetano Veloso), Maracatu atômico (Gilberto Gil e Chico Science & Nação Zumbi), Lágrimas negras (Gal Costa), Samba dos animas (Lulu Santos) Rock Comendo Cereja, O vampiro e Samba Jambo com (Jonge).

Ouro e Prata Na Mão
Jorge Mautner Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Com ouro e prata na mão
E ódio no coração
Assim ele caminhou
Ao lado da procissão

Na frente ia Jesus
E atrás vinha Satã
E no meio deles, o povo

Que cantava uma nova manhã

E será de alegria
E como o sorriso de uma criança
Uma mensagem que irradia
Noite e dia a chegada
Da arca da aliança
Quando todos se darão as mãos
E serão irmãos e irmãs
Por todos os dias

Todas as noites
Todas as manhãs

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Ouro e Prata Na Mão" by Jorge Mautner paint a complex and multi-layered picture that delves into themes of wealth, hatred, spirituality, and unity. The opening lines describe a figure carrying gold and silver in their hands, while harboring hatred in their heart. This juxtaposition of material wealth and emotional turmoil sets the stage for a journey of inner conflict and outward display.

As the individual progresses alongside a procession, symbolic figures are introduced – Jesus leading the way and Satan following from behind. This imagery suggests a spiritual and moral struggle within the singer, torn between light and darkness, good and evil. The presence of the masses in between, singing of a "new morning," adds a communal dimension to the narrative, hinting at a collective transformation or awakening.

The mention of a message of joy and the analogy of a child's smile further emphasize the themes of hope and renewal. The "ark of the covenant" symbolizes a profound and sacred covenant or agreement, hinting at a coming together of people in peace and harmony. The vision of unity and kinship, where everyone joins hands as brothers and sisters, underscores the idea of a harmonious and egalitarian society that transcends divisions.

In the final lines, the repetition of "todos os dias, todas as noites, todas as manhãs" reinforces the eternal and cyclical nature of this vision of unity and peace. It speaks to a timeless and enduring quest for interconnectedness and love among all people. Overall, the lyrics of "Ouro e Prata Na Mão" offer a profound contemplation on the complexities of human nature, the duality of existence, and the transformative power of unity and compassion.

Line by Line Meaning

Com ouro e prata na mão
Having wealth and riches in hand

E ódio no coração
And hatred in the heart

Assim ele caminhou
This is how he walked

Ao lado da procissão
Beside the procession

Na frente ia Jesus
Jesus was at the front

E atrás vinha Satã
And behind came Satan

E no meio deles, o povo
And in the middle of them, the people

Que cantava uma nova manhã
Who sang of a new morning

E será de alegria
And it will be of joy

E como o sorriso de uma criança
And like a child's smile

Uma mensagem que irradia
A message that radiates