Martinho da Vila (born Martinho José Ferreira on February 12, 1938 in Duas … Read Full Bio ↴Martinho da Vila (born Martinho José Ferreira on February 12, 1938 in Duas Barras, Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian samba musician (singer and composer).

He is most associated with the samba school Vila Isabel, and his own compositions (sambas de enredo) have been annually inaugurated by Vila Isabel in Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval competition for decades. His signature song, "Casa de Bamba," which dates back to the 1970s, is one of Brazilians' most beloved sambas. At age 74, he is still doing concerts and his lyrics continue to rally the spirits of audiences throughout Brazil. His 1995 CD "Ta Delicia Ta Gostoso" sold more than a million copies. His music shows influence from the region where he was born, such as the calango rhythm.

Martinho is politically active and a prominent figure and spokesperson for Afro-Brazilian issues as well as for the Brazilian Communist Party. He is the author of six books, and has been a recording artist since 1969.

Gbala
Martinho Da Vila Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Conheceram os valores do trabalho e do amor
E a importância da justiça
Sete águas revelaram em sete cores
Que a beleza é a missão de todo artista
Gbalá é resgatar, salvar
E a criança é a esperança de Oxalá
Gbalá, resgatar, salvar
A criança é a esperança de Oxalá

Vamos sonhar
Meu Deus
O grande Criador adoeceu
Porque a sua geração já se perdeu
Quando acaba a criação
Desaparece o Criador
Pra salvar a geração
Só esperança e muito amor
Então foram abertos os caminhos
E a inocência entrou
No templo da criação
Lá os guias protetores do planeta
Colocaram o futuro em suas mãos
E através dos orixás se encontraram
Com o Deus dos deuses, Olorum
E viram
Viram como foi criado o mundo
Se encantaram com a mãe natureza
Descobrindo o próprio corpo compreenderam
Que a função do homem é evoluir
Conheceram os valores do trabalho e do amor
E a importância da justiça
Sete águas revelaram em sete cores
Que a beleza é a missão de todo artista
Gbalá é resgatar, salvar
E a criança é a esperança de Oxalá
Gbalá, resgatar, salvar
A criança é a esperança de Oxalá
Vamos sonhar
Gbalá é uma palavra africana
Do idioma Iorubá
Que significa socorrer
Quem está em perigo
Gbalá, resgatar, salvar

A criança é a esperança de Oxalá
Vamos sonhar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Gbala" by Martinho Da Vila convey multiple messages and themes. The song emphasizes the importance of values such as work, love, and justice. It highlights the role of beauty as the mission of every artist, represented by the seven colors revealed by seven waters.

The song begins by stating that the values of work and love, as well as the significance of justice, are recognized and embraced. This suggests that these principles are essential for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The lyrics also mention how Gbala serves as a means to rescue and save, with the hope that children, being the embodiment of innocence and purity, can bring about positive change.

The next verses introduce a spiritual aspect, describing how the Creator became ill because the current generation has lost their way. The lyrics imply that when the Creator's creation ends, so does the Creator, indicating that humanity's actions can impact the very existence of the divine. To save the generation, hope and love are deemed necessary.

The following section explores the meeting of innocence and creation within the temple, where the guardians of the planet placed the future in their hands. This encounter with the gods and the discovery of nature arouse a fascination with the world's origin. The lyrics indicate that understanding one's own body leads individuals to comprehend that evolving is the purpose of human existence.

The refrain emphasizes the message of Gbala, which is the African word meaning "to rescue" someone in danger. It reiterates the idea that the child represents the hope of Oxalá, a deity associated with peace and harmony, embodying the potential for positive transformation. The lyrics conclude with an invitation to dream, perhaps inviting listeners to envision a future where Gbala is realized and children are cherished as the key to salvation and progress.

Overall, "Gbala" encourages listeners to appreciate the values of work, love, and justice, while recognizing the transformative power of children. It underscores the importance of preserving innocence, reconnecting with nature, and understanding the purpose of human existence for the betterment of society. Additionally, the song promotes the idea of Gbala as a means to rescue and save those in danger, with the ultimate goal of nurturing hope and love.

Line by Line Meaning

Conheceram os valores do trabalho e do amor
They learned the importance of hard work and love

E a importância da justiça
And the importance of justice

Sete águas revelaram em sete cores
Seven waters revealed in seven colors

Que a beleza é a missão de todo artista
That beauty is the mission of every artist

Gbalá é resgatar, salvar
Gbalá is to rescue, save

E a criança é a esperança de Oxalá
And the child is the hope of Oxalá

Vamos sonhar
Let's dream

Meu Deus
My God

O grande Criador adoeceu
The great Creator fell ill

Porque a sua geração já se perdeu
Because his generation is already lost

Quando acaba a criação
When the creation ends