Nascimento was born in Rio de Janeiro, and grew up in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais. His mother was the maid Maria do Carmo Nascimento. When he was just a few months old, the boy was adopted by the family for whom his mother had previously worked: the couple Josino Brito Campos (a banker, mathematics teacher and electronic technician) and Lília Silva Campos (a music teacher). He lived in the boroughs of Laranjeiras and Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. When he was 18 months old, his biological mother died and he moved with his adoptive parents to the city of Três Pontas, in the State of Minas Gerais.
In the earlier stages of his career, Nascimento played in two samba groups, Evolussamba and Sambacana. In 1963 he moved to Belo Horizonte, and his friendship with the Borges brothers (Marilton, Márcio e Lô Borges) led to the Clube da Esquina ("corner club") movement. Other members included Beto Guedes, Toninho Horta, Wagner Tiso, and Flavio Venturini.
Nascimento is famous for his chime-clear falsetto and tonal range, as well for highly acclaimed songs such as "Canção da América" ("Song from America") and "Coração de Estudante" ("Student's Heart"). The lyrics of "Coração de Estudante" remembers the funeral of the student Edson Luís, killed by police officers in 1968. The song became the hymn for the diretas Já campaign in 1984 and it was also played in the funeral of the late president Tancredo Neves the next year, who died before assuming the presidency.
While his reputation within Brazil was firmly established with his Clube da Esquina works, Nascimento's international breakthrough came with his appearance on jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter's 1974 album "Native Dancer". This led to widespread acclaim, and collaborations with American stars such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Pat Metheny.
Through his friendship with guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, Nascimento came to work with the pop-rock band Duran Duran in 1993. Nascimento co-wrote and performed (in the Portuguese language) the song "Breath After Breath", featured on the band's 1993 album "Duran Duran". He also performed with the band in concert when they toured in Brazil, in support of that album. Nascimento earned a Grammy award for "Best World Music Album" in 1998 for his album "Nascimento", and was also nominated in 1991 and 1995.
Canção da América
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Debaixo de sete chaves
Dentro do coração
Assim falava a canção que na América ouvi
Mas quem cantava chorou
Ao ver o seu amigo partir
Mas quem ficou, no pensamento voou
E quem voou, no pensamento ficou
Com a lembrança que o outro cantou
Amigo é coisa para se guardar
No lado esquerdo do peito
Mesmo que o tempo e a distância digam "não"
Mesmo esquecendo a canção
O que importa é ouvir
A voz que vem do coração
Pois seja o que vier (seja o que vier)
Venha o que vier (venha o que vier)
Qualquer dia, amigo, eu volto
A te encontrar
Qualquer dia, amigo, a gente vai se encontrar
Seja o que vier (seja o que vier)
Venha o que vier (venha o que vier)
Qualquer dia, amigo, eu volto
A te encontrar
Qualquer dia, amigo, a gente vai se encontrar
The lyrics of Milton Nascimento's Canção Da América speak to the theme of friendship and its lasting impact even in the face of distance and time. The song begins by stating that a friend is someone to be kept close and protected, kept deep within the heart. The lyrics harken back to memories of the past, and evoke feelings of sorrow and nostalgia for someone who has already left. However, the singer reminds themselves that even if a friend seems distant or time seems to put too much distance between them, it is still important to hold on to the feelings they shared. The voice that comes from the heart should not be silenced, even if the memories fade.
The second verse emphasizes the idea that a friend is a constant presence, even when they cannot be physically present. The act of remembering and holding on to a shared experience is what counts. Even if time passes and the song itself is forgotten, it is the enduring connection between friends that stands the test of time. The chorus serves as a reminder that no matter what life brings, the bond of friendship is unbreakable. Whether through the trials and tribulations of everyday life or through the vastness of distance, friends will always be there for each other. The song ends with an optimistic note, suggesting that even if the singer is not able to see their friend soon, they will find each other eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
Amigo é coisa pra se guardar
Friendship is something to be cherished
Debaixo de sete chaves
Under seven locks, to protect it
Dentro do coração
In your heart, where it belongs
Assim falava a canção que na América ouvi
That's what the song I heard in America said
Mas quem cantava chorou
But the singer cried
Ao ver o seu amigo partir
When he saw his friend leaving
Mas quem ficou, no pensamento voou
But whoever stayed, flew in their thoughts
Com seu canto que o outro lembrou
With their song that the other remembered
E quem voou, no pensamento ficou
And whoever flew away stayed in thought
Com a lembrança que o outro cantou
With the memory of the other's song
Amigo é coisa para se guardar
Friendship is something to be cherished
No lado esquerdo do peito
In the left side of the chest
Mesmo que o tempo e a distância digam 'não'
Even if time and distance say 'no'
Mesmo esquecendo a canção
Even if forgetting the song
O que importa é ouvir
What matters is to listen
A voz que vem do coração
To the voice that comes from the heart
Pois seja o que vier (seja o que vier)
Whatever may come (whatever may come)
Venha o que vier (venha o que vier)
Come what may (come what may)
Qualquer dia, amigo, eu volto
Any day, my friend, I'll come back
A te encontrar
To find you
Qualquer dia, amigo, a gente vai se encontrar
Any day, my friend, we will meet
Seja o que vier (seja o que vier)
Whatever may come (whatever may come)
Venha o que vier (venha o que vier)
Come what may (come what may)
Qualquer dia, amigo, eu volto
Any day, my friend, I'll come back
A te encontrar
To find you
Qualquer dia, amigo, a gente vai se encontrar
Any day, my friend, we will meet
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Fernando Rocha Brant, Milton Nascimento
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joseribamarbritoferreira7225
Perdi um filho,tinha 26 anos último ano da faculdade, prestaram uma homenagem pra ele no dia da formatura,tocaram essa música!!
@mariosergioassisdutra9934
Deus te dê muita força meu rei, Marinho Fepasa
@Evangelho_joao8.32
Deus te conforte sempre
@inaciomariz9588
Ele é estrela, agora! Luz e sabedoria na sua vida!
@cristianogoncalvessilva1997
Que Deus te guie, muita força.
@acordamatrizdecamaragibe3369
Amigo escrevo estas palavras com lagrimas nos olhos e no coração Deus conforte teu coração e te abençoe e saiba que Deus sabe de todas as coisas.
@teojunior9912
A todas as famílias que perderam entes queridos sobretudo pela pandemia, nosso respeito. A arte ajuda a viver o luto e a saudade.
@Anaraquel38
Eu perdi meu pai e quase morri de covid. Não podemos esquecer.
@arturpacheco2143
O Bozo passou.
@Marcos-py3gv
Tenho um filho com 26 anos ele tem cance de estômago estarmos lutando por ele e creio que Deus está no comando