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.
Eu Sou Uma Preta Velha Aqui Sentada
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
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Milton Nascimento Sérgio Sant'Anna
Eu sou uma preta velha aqui sentada ao sol. Junto à uma fonte,
Um monumento, eu estou aqui sentada ao sol. As pessoas
Passam, as coisas passam e eu fico aqui sentada ao sol.
Homens, mulheres, cachorros e gatos, automóveis,
Mosquitos, aviões, eu estou aqui sentada ao sol.
Eu sou uma preta velha aqui sentada ao sol,
Não tenho um nome, nem idade, nem pátria,
Não venho de lugar nenhum, não vou
À qualquer parte, não quero nada,
Eu quero ficar aqui sentada ao sol.
Eu sou uma preta velha
Aqui sentada ao sol.
Eu sou uma preta velha vadia, mendiga,
Aqui sentada ao sol, bebendo a água da fonte,
Comendo farelo dos passarinhos,
Pedindo - um dinheiro filhinho,
Ouvindo - a benção vozinha.
Eu continuo aqui sentada ao sol.
Eu vou morrer aqui sentada ao sol
E eu sou uma preta velha
The lyrics of Milton Nascimento's song "Eu Sou Uma Preta Velha Aqui Sentada" describe an old black woman sitting in the sun by a fountain or monument. Despite the passing of people, things like cars, mosquitoes, and airplanes, she remains sitting in the sun. She is nameless, without an age or country of origin, and doesn't want anything except to continue sitting in the sun. She is described as a "vagrant" and a beggar, surviving by drinking from the fountain and eating the crumbs of birds. The lyrics suggest that she has received blessings or benedictions from older voices, likely from her ancestors or spirits.
The song portrays the old woman as an embodiment of resilience and endurance. Despite the difficult circumstances and social marginalization, she remains sitting in the sun for what could be her final days. The imagery of the sun, fountain, and passerby people and objects suggest the transience of human life and the inevitability of death. The woman's presence and persistence become a commentary on the lives of those who pass by her. In this context, the song can be interpreted as a call to reflect on what is essential in life and the importance of recognizing the humanity of people who are often left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Eu sou uma preta velha aqui sentada ao sol. Junto à uma fonte,
I am an old black woman, sitting here in the sun. Next to a fountain,
Um monumento, eu estou aqui sentada ao sol. As pessoas
As a monument, I am sitting here in the sun. People pass by,
Passam, as coisas passam e eu fico aqui sentada ao sol.
They pass, things pass, and I remain sitting here in the sun.
Homens, mulheres, cachorros e gatos, automóveis,
Men, women, dogs and cats, cars,
Mosquitos, aviões, eu estou aqui sentada ao sol.
Mosquitoes, airplanes, I am sitting here in the sun.
Eu sou uma preta velha aqui sentada ao sol,
I am an old black woman sitting here in the sun,
Não tenho um nome, nem idade, nem pátria,
I have no name, no age, no homeland,
Não venho de lugar nenhum, não vou
I come from nowhere, I am going nowhere,
À qualquer parte, não quero nada,
To any place, I don't want anything,
Eu quero ficar aqui sentada ao sol.
I want to stay here, sitting in the sun.
Eu sou uma preta velha
I am an old black woman
Aqui sentada ao sol.
Sitting here in the sun.
Eu sou uma preta velha vadia, mendiga,
I am an old black woman, a prostitute, a beggar,
Aqui sentada ao sol, bebendo a água da fonte,
Sitting here in the sun, drinking from the fountain,
Comendo farelo dos passarinhos,
Eating the crumbs from the birds,
Pedindo - um dinheiro filhinho,
Asking for some money, my child,
Ouvindo - a benção vozinha.
Hearing the blessings from my old voice.
Eu continuo aqui sentada ao sol.
I keep sitting here in the sun.
Eu vou morrer aqui sentada ao sol
I will die here, sitting in the sun
E eu sou uma preta velha
And I am an old black woman
Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joao Cruz
Álbum Milagre dos Peixes:
A explosão vocal de Milton Nascimento
A obra prima desse gênio!
adalberto figueiredo
muito bom , viva milton nascimento
Zé Kielwagen
nao vim de lugar nenhum
nao vou a qualquer parte
nao quero nada
eu quero ficar aqui
sentada ao sol...