Mestiça
Zé Ramalho Lyrics

The lyrics of Zé Ramalho's song "Mestiça" are quite enigmatic and open to interpretation. The song's title refers to a mixed-race woman, who is addressed in the chorus, asking her to return the singer's secrets, beliefs, and even childhood memories. The opening verse suggests that the singer has left his sins and weaknesses exposed and unprotected, and his legs will inevitably lead him astray. He then tells tales that are "so distorted" - possibly indicating that he has lost touch with reality or is questioning the truthfulness of his own stories. The use of the words "pobretões varrendo um jardim" (poor men sweeping a garden) may be symbolic: the garden can represent life or the world, and the poor men can represent the marginalized or oppressed. The singer then laments his own intelligence and creativity, referencing iconic inventions such as the Cadillac and the Zeppelin as if to suggest that despite his brilliance, he has achieved little.

The chorus brings the focus back to the titular character, the "Mestiça," asking her to return his secrets and belongings. The verse that follows mentions the singer's suit of a vagabond, his childhood lunch, and the woman's braided hair. The song ends with the repetition of the line "when you go to sleep," which could be interpreted as a plea for the woman to stay or a reminiscence of their intimacy. Overall, the lyrics of "Mestiça" convey a sense of loss, confusion, and longing for a time or a person that the singer cannot retrieve.