Salário Mínimo

Beth Carvalho's song 'Salário Mínimo' poignantly captures the struggles of the working class in Brazil. The lyrics reflect the frustration and exhaustion of a laborer who works tirelessly yet finds it impossible to make ends meet. The protagonist is burdened with the responsibility of supporting a large family, including five children, a wife, and a mother-in-law, on a meager salary of 750 cruzeiros. This amount is insufficient to cover basic needs, leading to a life of perpetual hardship and deprivation.

The song uses vivid imagery to highlight the dire circumstances faced by the family. The reference to the 'trajes de Adão e Eva' (Adam and Eve's attire) suggests that the family is so impoverished that they lack proper clothing, symbolizing their vulnerability and destitution. The repeated phrase 'não dá' (it doesn't work) emphasizes the hopelessness and frustration of the situation, underscoring the systemic issues that keep the working class trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Beth Carvalho, known for her contributions to samba and her advocacy for social justice, uses this song to shed light on the economic disparities and social injustices prevalent in Brazilian society. The song serves as a powerful critique of the minimum wage system and the broader socio-economic conditions that fail to provide a decent standard of living for hardworking individuals. Through 'Salário Mínimo,' Carvalho gives a voice to the marginalized and calls for a more equitable and just society.