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.
Olhos Do Mundo
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O mundo é pequeno e sempre dá um nó
Esconder na sombra vem vindo o sol
Debaixo de chuva a luz de um farol...
Aonde você tá, raso ou fundo
Sem atraso ou atrás sempre veem
Quem é capaz de fechar os olhos do mundo...
No norte ou no sul
Interior ou capital
Há quem pareça, mas não há igual
Telefone internet, revista
Ou telejornal, amigos ou coluna social...
Aonde você tá, raso ou fundo
Sem atraso ou atrás sempre veem
As janelas estão abertas pra ruas
Quem é capaz de fechar os olhos do mundo
Olhar pra dentro de si...
Parece em uma roça, o mundo é pequeno
Tamanho de um ovo, ovo que não para
Esconder na sombra, vem vindo o sol
Debaixo de chuva a luz de um farol...
Aonde você tá, raso ou fundo
Sem atraso ou atrás sempre veem
Quem é capaz de fechar os olhos do mundo...
The first verse of Milton Nascimento's song "Olhos Do Mundo" speaks of a world that is interconnected, where nobody can truly be alone. Despite the fact that the world can seem overwhelming at times, and it may feel like things get tangled up and confusing, there is always a glimmer of hope. This is symbolized by the image of the sun emerging from behind the clouds - even when it is raining and dark, there is always a ray of light shining through.
The chorus of the song speaks of the idea that no matter where you go or where you are, someone is always watching. Whether it's in the "north or the south, interior or capital", there is no escaping the fact that we are all part of a larger society. The question is, who among us is capable of closing our eyes to the reality of the world around us? The song suggests that it is only those who have turned inward and taken the time to examine their own hearts and souls.
The final verse of the song touches on the idea that despite the fact that the world can seem vast and overwhelming, it is also surprisingly small. It seems as though the world is constantly shrinking and becoming more interconnected, with new technology and modes of communication bringing us closer together. The song ends on a note of hope and possibility, suggesting that by looking within ourselves and opening our eyes to the world around us, we can be a positive force for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Já não há quem possa, ficar tão só
There is no one left who can be so alone
O mundo é pequeno e sempre dá um nó
The world is small and always tangled
Esconder na sombra vem vindo o sol
The sun is coming out from behind the shadows
Debaixo de chuva a luz de um farol...
Under the rain, the light of a lighthouse...
Aonde você tá, raso ou fundo
Where are you, shallow or deep
Sem atraso ou atrás sempre veem
Without delay or lag, they always come
Quem é capaz de fechar os olhos do mundo...
Who is capable of closing the world's eyes...
No norte ou no sul
In the North or in the South
Interior ou capital
Inland or in the capital
Há quem pareça, mas não há igual
There are those who seem, but there is no equal
Telefone internet, revista
Telephone, internet, magazine
Ou telejornal, amigos ou coluna social...
Or TV news, friends, or social column...
As janelas estão abertas pra ruas
The windows are open to the streets
Quem é capaz de fechar os olhos do mundo
Who is capable of closing the world's eyes
Olhar pra dentro de si...
Looking inside oneself...
Parece em uma roça, o mundo é pequeno
It seems like in a field, the world is small
Tamanho de um ovo, ovo que não para
The size of an egg, an egg that doesn't stop
Esconder na sombra, vem vindo o sol
The sun is coming out from behind the shadows
Debaixo de chuva a luz de um farol...
Under the rain, the light of a lighthouse...
Aonde você tá, raso ou fundo
Where are you, shallow or deep
Sem atraso ou atrás sempre veem
Without delay or lag, they always come
Quem é capaz de fechar os olhos do mundo...
Who is capable of closing the world's eyes...
Contributed by Jake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.