Admirável Gado Novo
Zeca Baleiro - www.cdedvd.org Lyrics
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Que passa nos projetos do futuro
É duro tanto ter que caminhar
E dar muito mais do que receber
E ter que demonstrar sua coragem
À margem do que possa parecer
E ver que toda essa engrenagem
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Povo marcado
Êh, povo feliz!
Lá fora faz um tempo confortável
A vigilância cuida do normal
Os automóveis ouvem a notícia
Os homens a publicam no jornal
E correm através da madrugada
A única velhice que chegou
Demoram-se na beira da estrada
E passam a contar o que sobrou!
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Povo marcado
Êh, povo feliz!
O povo foge da ignorância
Apesar de viver tão perto dela
E sonham com melhores tempos idos
Contemplam esta vida numa cela
Esperam nova possibilidade
De verem esse mundo se acabar
A arca de Noé, o dirigível
Não voam, nem se pode flutuar
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Povo marcado
Êh, povo feliz!
The lyrics to Zeca Baleiro's "Admirável Gado Novo" speak to the struggles of modern society, specifically the feeling of being a part of a mass that is constantly moving towards an uncertain future. The first verse acknowledges the difficulty of having to work hard and give more than one receives, while also demonstrating the necessity to show bravery even when society may not support it. The chorus, "Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado, povo marcado, êh povo feliz!" (Hey, oh, oh, life of cattle, marked people, hey, happy people!) speaks to the feeling of being part of a system that marks individuals as just another part of the herd, yet still managing to find happiness in the midst of it all.
The second verse touches on the idea of the outside world being comfortable and protected, while those within the system struggle to survive. Society is governed by a system of surveillance, communication, and transportation that is not concerned with individuality or personal struggles. The final verse highlights the hopelessness of the situation, as people dream of a better world but are trapped within the limitations of their current reality. The reference to the biblical story of Noah's Ark and a dirigible both demonstrate the futility of seeking a way out of this system.
Overall, "Admirável Gado Novo" is a commentary on the struggles of modern society and the feeling of being trapped within a larger system that seeks to control and define individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Vocês que fazem parte dessa massa
You who are part of this mass
Que passa nos projetos do futuro
That passes through the future projects
É duro tanto ter que caminhar
It's hard to have to walk so much
E dar muito mais do que receber
And give much more than receive
E ter que demonstrar sua coragem
And have to show your courage
À margem do que possa parecer
Despite what it may seem
E ver que toda essa engrenagem
And see that this whole system
Já sente a ferrugem lhe comer
Is already feeling rust eating away at it
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Hey, oh, oh, life of cattle
Povo marcado
Marked people
Êh, povo feliz!
Hey, happy people!
Lá fora faz um tempo confortável
Outside it's a comfortable weather
A vigilância cuida do normal
Surveillance takes care of the normal
Os automóveis ouvem a notícia
The cars hear the news
Os homens a publicam no jornal
The men publish it in the newspaper
E correm através da madrugada
And run through the dawn
A única velhice que chegou
The only old age that arrived
Demoram-se na beira da estrada
They linger at the roadside
E passam a contar o que sobrou!
And start telling what's left!
O povo foge da ignorância
The people run from ignorance
Apesar de viver tão perto dela
Although they live so close to it
E sonham com melhores tempos idos
And dream of better times gone by
Contemplam esta vida numa cela
They contemplate this life in a cell
Esperam nova possibilidade
They hope for a new possibility
De verem esse mundo se acabar
To see this world come to an end
A arca de Noé, o dirigível
Noah's Ark, the dirigible
Não voam, nem se pode flutuar
Can't fly, nor can they float
Êh, ô, ô, vida de gado
Hey, oh, oh, life of cattle
Povo marcado
Marked people
Êh, povo feliz!
Hey, happy people!
Contributed by Katherine J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.