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.
Tres Pontas
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da bahia-minas, estrada antural
Que ligava minas ao porto, ao mar
Caminho de ferro mandaram arrancar
Velho maquinista com seu boné
Lembra o povo alegre que vinha cortejar
Maria-fumaca não canta mais
Pras mocas, flores, janelas e quintais
Na praca vazia, um grito, um ai
Casas equecidas, viúvas nos portais
The lyrics to Milton Nascimento's song Tres Pontas describe the end of an era, as a train service that used to connect the Bahia and Minas regions of Brazil has been dismantled. The lyrics describe the significance of this train service, which was a natural road connecting the mining region of Minas to the ports and the sea. However, the government decided to rip up the railway tracks. The lyrics evoke a sense of loss and nostalgia for the time when the train would transport people and goods, and they would eagerly wait for it at the station.
The song also portrays the sadness that accompanies the end of this train service. The old train driver, who once wore his cap with pride, is now left with memories of the joyous people who would flock to him just to say hello. The steam engine, once a source of beauty and music, no longer sings its happy tune in the morning. Meanwhile, in the empty square, the people remain saddened, as they watch abandoned houses and widowed women standing at their porches.
Overall, Tres Pontas is a song about the passing of time and the loss of something valuable that used to connect people and places.
Line by Line Meaning
Ponta de areia, ponto final
This is the end of the line, where the sand meets the sea.
Da bahia-minas, estrada antural
A natural road that connected the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Que ligava minas ao porto, ao mar
This road connected the state of Minas Gerais to the port and the sea.
Caminho de ferro mandaram arrancar
They tore up the railroad tracks.
Velho maquinista com seu boné
The elderly train driver with his cap.
Lembra o povo alegre que vinha cortejar
Reminds the people how they used to come to court each other joyfully.
Maria-fumaca não canta mais
The steam locomotive doesn't whistle anymore.
Pras mocas, flores, janelas e quintais
For the girls, flowers, windows, and backyards.
Na praca vazia, um grito, um ai
In the empty square, a shout, an exclamation.
Casas equecidas, viúvas nos portais
Forgotten houses, widows at the gates.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MILTON SILVA CAMPOS DO NASCIMENTO, RONALDO BASTOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zinh0
Anda, minha gente
Vem depressa, na estação
Pra ver o trem
Chegar
É dia de festa
E a cidade se enfeita para ver
O trem
Quem é bravo, fica manso
Quem é triste, se alegra
E olha o trem
Velho, moço e criança
Todo mundo vem correndo
Para ver
Rever gente que partiu
Pensando um dia em voltar
Enfim, voltou
No trem
E voltou contando histórias
De uma terra tão distante do mar
Vem trazendo esperança para quem quer
Nessa terra se encontrar
E o trem
Gente se abraçando
Gente rindo
Alegria que chegou
No trem
Marcio Mutti
arranjo perfeito pra ninguém botar defeito !
JackQueSlack23
One of his more underrated tracks
Roberto Fernandes
Músicas do Milton Nascimento marcam a vida da gente.
Invisible Babyface
Always loved this song, Brazil has so many hidden gems that are unknown in the english speaking world. Adoro esta cançao.
Gustavo Silva
I recommend "Cartola", the best samba dancer in the history of Brazil.
Leo di Brito
Rsrrsrs...true
HEC9
Quando criança eu ouvia muito esta música...E realmente imaginava um trem passando! Grande aula de música!!! : D
paulo cruz
Milton Nascimento, Ronaldo Bastos, Lô Borges, Minas ... enfim ... O Som Imaginário ainda é um "universo musical" a ser descoberto por muitos brasileiros.
Rodrigo Sodré
Gênio!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Marcio Cotta Jornalista
Muito bom, já se mostrava ao que veio. Sou fã incondicional!