Maresia (Se Eu Fosse Um Marinheiro)

Adriana Calcanhotto's song 'Maresia (Se Eu Fosse Um Marinheiro)' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the longing for freedom. The lyrics tell the story of someone who has been left by their lover, taking with them not just their presence but also the protagonist's sense of identity. This loss leaves the protagonist feeling adrift, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion. The recurring wish to be a sailor symbolizes a desire for escape and a life unburdened by the pain of a broken heart.

The metaphor of the sailor is rich and multifaceted. As a sailor, the protagonist imagines a life of constant movement and adventure, where the heart remains unbroken or easily mended with 'cola de maresia' (sea breeze glue). This imagery suggests a romanticized view of a life where love is transient and unencumbered by the weight of permanence. The sailor's life is depicted as one of poetic freedom, where the vastness of the sea and the changing horizons offer solace and a sense of belonging that transcends the confines of a single place or relationship.

Calcanhotto's lyrics also touch on themes of existential searching and the human condition. The lines 'Leste, oeste, norte, sul / Onde um homem se situa' (East, west, north, south / Where does a man find himself) reflect a deeper quest for meaning and place in the world. The sailor's journey becomes a metaphor for this search, suggesting that true comfort and identity might be found not in material wealth or stability but in the freedom to love and live poetically. The song's wistful tone and lyrical beauty capture the essence of longing and the bittersweet nature of love and loss.