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.
Lamento No Morro
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ai, o meu viver é de esperar, pra te dizer adeus
Mulher amada, destino meu
É madrugada, sereno dos meus olhos já correu
Não posso esquecer o teu olhar, longe dos olhos meus
Ai, o meu viver é de esperar, pra te dizer adeus
Pra te dizer adeus
Pra te dizer adeus
The lyrics to Milton Nascimento's song Lamento No Morro are a poignant expression of the pain and longing of love that has been lost or must be let go. The singer remembers the look of the woman he loves, even though she is far away from him. He is living in a state of waiting, just to be able to say goodbye to her. The lines "Mulher amada, destino meu" (Beloved woman, my fate) reflect the idea that the singer feels his destiny is tied to this woman, but must let her go nonetheless. The use of "madrugada" (dawn) and "sereno" (dew) conjure up a peaceful and melancholic atmosphere, as if the singer is reflecting on his love during a quiet and contemplative moment in the early hours of the morning.
The repetition of "pra te dizer adeus" (to say goodbye to you) at the end of the song reinforces the theme of separation and the finality of goodbye. The two short verses of the song are simple yet evocative, and the melody by Milton Nascimento is hauntingly beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
Não posso esquecer o teu olhar, longe dos olhos meus
I cannot forget your gaze, even though you are far away from me.
Ai, o meu viver é de esperar, pra te dizer adeus
Oh, my existence is made up of waiting, to bid you farewell.
Mulher amada, destino meu
Beloved woman, my destiny.
É madrugada, sereno dos meus olhos já correu
It is dawn, and the dew has already moistened my eyes.
Não posso esquecer o teu olhar, longe dos olhos meus
I cannot forget your gaze, even though you are far away from me.
Ai, o meu viver é de esperar, pra te dizer adeus
Oh, my existence is made up of waiting, to bid you farewell.
Pra te dizer adeus
To bid you farewell.
Pra te dizer adeus
To bid you farewell.
Pra te dizer adeus
To bid you farewell.
Contributed by Abigail S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.