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.

Pietá
Milton Nascimento Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Guardo teu olhar comigo
Tenho teu manto abrigo
Vem me amparar, vem me trazer
A voz que pode me socorrer
Pra não sofrer a hora má
Deixo meu corpo em teu coração

Sabes acalmar as horas

Grave a paixão que choras
Mas vem quebrar com tuas mãos
As duras setas do padecer
Pedra do céu, fogo do ser
Quieta me abre teu coração

Deito em teu peito largo
Guardo todo pranto amargo
Prometo a ti dia virá
Verás o filho te proteger
Te consolar e recolher
A flor de sangue da solidão

Foi piedade que inventaram
Foi seu povo que me deu
Sua mão forte de mulher
Quando tudo escureceu
Foi o mundo que me deixou
Para sempre este cravo
Este cravo, minha paixão
Que é a luz do teu rosto

Guardo sobre a pedra fria
Dobras de minha alegria
Vem me amparar, vem me trazer
A voz que pode me proteger
És minha mão, és meu querer
Piedade és toda mulher

Guardo teu olhar comigo
Tenho teu manto abrigo
Vem me amparar, vem me trazer
A voz que pode me socorrer
Pra não sofrer a hora má
Deixo meu corpo em teu coração

Sabes acalmar as horas
Grave a paixão que choras
Mas vem quebrar com tuas mãos
As duras setas do padecer
Pedra do céu, fogo do ser
Quieta me abre teu coração

Deito em teu peito largo
Guardo todo pranto amargo
Prometo a ti dia virá
Verás o filho te proteger

Te consolar e recolher
A flor de sangue de soledad

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pietá are deeply emotional and express the desire for comfort and protection in times of hardship. The singer addresses the figure of Pietá, a representation of the Virgin Mary comforting her son Jesus after his crucifixion. The singer seeks refuge in Pietá's gaze and mantle, asking for her voice to help them in times of suffering. The lyrics also speak to the powerful and calming presence of Pietá, who can quell passions and soothe the heartaches of life. The singer places their trust fully in Pietá, leaving their body in her heart and seeking shelter in her embrace.

The song is a powerful ode to the soothing power of women, represented by the figure of Pietá. The lyrics express how women can be a source of strength and comfort, particularly in times of grief and suffering. The idea of leaving one's body in Pietá's heart is an poignant image that represents the transformative power of seeking refuge in a comforting and maternal presence. Overall, the song paints a picture of the importance of female figures in the shaping of our emotional selves and the resilience they can instill in us.

Line by Line Meaning

Guardo teu olhar comigo
I keep your gaze with me

Tenho teu manto abrigo
I have your cloak as shelter

Vem me amparar, vem me trazer
Come support me, come bring me

A voz que pode me socorrer
The voice that can help me

Pra não sofrer a hora má
So as not to suffer the bad hour

Deixo meu corpo em teu coração
I leave my body in your heart

Sabes acalmar as horas
You know how to calm the hours

Grave a paixão que choras
Serious is the passion you cry

Mas vem quebrar com tuas mãos
But come break with your hands

As duras setas do padecer
The hard arrows of suffering

Pedra do céu, fogo do ser
Stone of the sky, fire of being