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.
Saidas e Bandeiras No. 1
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que não dá mais pé?
O que vocês fariam pra sair desta maré?
O que era sonho vira terra
Quem vai ser o primeiro a me responder?
Sair desta cidade ter a vida onde ela é
Subir novas montanhas diamantes procurar
Um rio com seus frutos me alimentar
Milton Nascimento's "Saidas e Bandeiras No. 1," is a beautiful and thought-provoking song that explores themes of uncertainty, hope, and perseverance. In the first verse, the singer asks what people would do when they find themselves in a situation that seems insurmountable. The singer is struggling and needs guidance and direction to navigate the challenges they are facing.
In the second verse, the singer suggests some possible solutions for overcoming the difficulty. The idea of leaving the current city, exploring new territories, and searching for diamonds is presented as a way to start a new life. The final line describes the end goal of this journey, a river where the singer can feed on its fruits, signifying the reward of overcoming obstacles.
Overall, the song portrays a feeling of uncertain hopefulness. The lyrics encourage listeners to take a chance to leave behind what is not serving their lives and search for something new.
Line by Line Meaning
O que vocês diriam dessa coisa
What would you say about this situation
Que não dá mais pé?
That is no longer sustainable?
O que vocês fariam pra sair desta maré?
What would you do to get out of this stagnant state?
O que era sonho vira terra
What was once a dream has become reality
Quem vai ser o primeiro a me responder?
Who will be the first to answer me?
Sair desta cidade ter a vida onde ela é
To leave this city and live where life thrives
Subir novas montanhas diamantes procurar
Climb new mountains and search for diamonds
No fim da estrada e da poeira
At the end of the road and the dust
Um rio com seus frutos me alimentar
A river with its fruits to nourish me
Contributed by Carson J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.