Drão
Caetano Veloso
The Eternal Cycle of Love in 'Drão'
In 'Drão,' Caetano Veloso delves into the complexities and enduring nature of love, using rich metaphors and poignant imagery. The song opens with the comparison of love to a grain, a seed of illusion that must die to germinate. This metaphor suggests that love, like a seed, must undergo transformation and sometimes even end to give birth to something new. The idea of planting and resurrecting in the soil speaks to the cyclical nature of love and life, where endings are merely new beginnings in disguise.
The lyrics also touch on the pain and struggle inherent in love. Veloso sings about the 'dura caminhada' or 'hard journey' along a dark road, emphasizing that love is not always easy. Despite the hardships, he urges Drão not to think about separation or break their hearts. The true essence of love, he suggests, is infinite and enduring, likened to an 'imenso monolito' or 'immense monolith,' a structure that stands the test of time. This architectural metaphor underscores the solidity and permanence of genuine love.
In the final verses, Veloso reflects on personal responsibility and forgiveness. He acknowledges his own sins and confesses that there is nothing to forgive, implying a sense of acceptance and understanding. The line 'Se o amor é como um grão, morre nasce trigo, vive morre pão' encapsulates the entire message of the song. Love, like a grain, dies and is reborn as wheat, which then lives and dies as bread. This cycle of life and death, growth and decay, mirrors the eternal nature of love, suggesting that true love never really dies but transforms and continues in different forms.