Joaquim
Medulla Lyrics

juaquim
Introducing the song and the character of Joaquim.

e o sapato engraxado
Joaquim wears polished shoes as he tries to present himself well.

e o terno engomado
His suit is freshly ironed and crisp, emphasizing Joaquim's attention to appearances.

ele é tão educado
Joaquim is well-mannered and polite to those around him.

e a bíblia na mão
He carries a Bible, suggesting a religious affiliation.

e bom dia irmão
He greets others cordially with "good day, brother" as if he has a connection with them.

eu sou a salvação
He believes himself to be a savior, with the ability to save others from temptation.

não nos deixei cair em tentação
Joaquim seeks to prevent himself and others from giving in to temptation.

e o terno do avesso
Joaquim's clothing is inverted, hinting at a more disheveled, chaotic side to his character.

e o ovo virado
An egg has been turned upside-down, symbolizing the instability and disarray that Joaquim tries to hide behind his facade.

e cabelo despenteado
His hair is mussed, another indication that he may not be as put-together as he tries to appear.

pisa como em cacos de vidro
Joaquim moves unsteadily, perhaps due to his inner turmoil.

e exala ao pé do ouvido
He emits a breathy whisper, conveying his sense of urgency and intense emotions.

a revolta com espírito santo
Joaquim may have a rebellious streak, even though he is religious and spiritual.

água benta arde a garganta
Drinking holy water is uncomfortable for him, perhaps mirroring a deeper unease within him.

no gole profano
Despite his faith, Joaquim drinks in a way that might be considered sacrilegious.

no caminho da benção
He is on a journey toward a supposed blessing or salvation.

altar de azulejos brancos
Joaquim may be in a religious setting, surrounded by white tiles.

pra perdir perdão (coragem)
He may be seeking forgiveness but lacks the bravery to do so.

desce o limão na missão (covarde)
He takes an easier, cowardly approach by drinking lime juice instead of asking for forgiveness directly.

o pecado é pago no cartão
Joaquim may believe that sin can be erased through financial payment or other acts of penance.

sorteando o caminho no paladar
He chooses his path less with his faith in mind and more by what tastes good to him.

crime particular
He may have committed private or personal transgressions.

resta o suspiro na carcaça amassada
There is only a sigh left within him, as his spirit is bruised.

a mentira gritada no altar
There may be falsehoods present in his place of worship and faith.

no delírio expulsa a tiros
He may be in a state of frenzy and feel a need to expel those who challenge him.

quem não tá presente
He seeks to cast out those who are not physically present with him.

vende o corpo a alma a mente
Joaquim may be willing to sell out his physical, spiritual, and mental selves for some perceived gain or reward.

se sente mais leve
He may feel a sense of relief in having unburdened himself of some guilt or wrongdoing.

senta a mesa e pede, não negue a luz
He may partake in communion, asking that he not be kept from the light of salvation.

pros olhos dos homens
He may see himself wanting to appear favorable to others, rather than focused solely on his faith and religious experience.

mas aqui o pecado é fome
In this setting, there may be more pressing and immediate concerns beyond spiritual purity, such as hunger and poverty.

pastores comem o rebanho
Religious leaders may take advantage of their flock and consume what should be shared evenly.

anjos de chifre e rabo
Joaquim may see those he once thought to be angelic as now appearing more devilish, with horns and tails.

juaquim e o desgosto
The character of Joaquim is tied to disappointment and frustration.

e o banho gelado
He takes a cold bath, perhaps for purification or penance.

banaliza, catequiza a mentira
There may be a cynical approach at play around religious beliefs, with certain teachings being distorted or taken out of context for a certain goal or agenda.

amém
Closing the song with a religious benediction.

rogai por nós pecadores
A prayer to religious figures or saints to intercede on behalf of sinful individuals.

no caminho do fogo tem flores
Even in times of great challenge and turmoil, some beauty and joy can still be found.

bem-me-quer
A reference to the flower game, where one alternates "he loves me" and "he loves me not" with the petals of a flower.

mal-me-quer
The opposite of "bem-me-quer," where the petals indicate that someone is not loved.

também
Reinforcing that life and love are never black and white, but rather have nuances and complexities that make them more complicated than they may appear at first glance.