Milton Nascimento (born 26 October, 1942) is a Brazilian songwriter, singer… Read Full Bio ↴Milton Nascimento (born 26 October, 1942) is a Brazilian songwriter, singer, and guitarist, who is considered one of the foremost icons of Brazilian popular music. His work spans a multitude of genres, from contemporary folk to jazz, and is often rooted in the traditional and indigenous music of the country.

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.

Os Escravos De Jó
Milton Nascimento Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Saio do trabalho, ei
Volto para casa, ei
Não lembro de canseira maior
Em tudo é o mesmo suor

Em tudo é o mesmo suor

Saio do trabalho, ei

Volto para casa, ei

Não lembro de canseira maior
Em tudo é o mesmo suor

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Milton Nascimento's song Os Escravos De Jó, translate to "I leave work, hey. I return home, hey. I don't remember a greater tiredness. In everything, it's the same sweat." Those lines are repeated twice, making them the chorus of the song. The lyrics seem to be a reflection on the struggles of life and how it can seem like a never-ending cycle of work and exhaustion. The repetition of "same sweat" could indicate a feeling of stagnation or hopelessness. The use of the phrase "Escravos De Jó" (Jó's Slaves) in the title could be a reference to the biblical character Jó, who was known for enduring immense suffering and hardship but remained faithful to God.

Line by Line Meaning

Saio do trabalho, ei
Every day, I leave work and head home.

Volto para casa, ei
I return home, longing for a moment of peace.

Não lembro de canseira maior
I cannot recall a greater weariness than this.

Em tudo é o mesmo suor
Even in every other aspect, I'm still bearing the same burden.

Em tudo é o mesmo suor
In every aspect of my life, I carry the same weight.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fernando Brant, Milton Silva Campos Nascimento

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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