Peixe Vivo

The song 'Peixe Vivo' is a traditional Brazilian folk song that has been passed down through generations. The lyrics are simple yet profound, using the metaphor of a fish out of water to express a deep sense of longing and the necessity of companionship. The repeated question 'Como pode o peixe vivo viver fora da água fria?' translates to 'How can the living fish survive out of the cold water?' This rhetorical question emphasizes the natural environment in which a fish can thrive and draws a parallel to the human need for a particular kind of environment or relationship to live happily.

The second part of the song shifts from the fish to the singer themselves, asking 'Como poderei viver sem a tua companhia?' or 'How can I live without your company?' This personalizes the metaphor, making it clear that the singer is expressing their own dependency on someone else's presence for their well-being, much like the fish needs water. The repetition of the phrase 'sem a tua' ('without your') underscores the intensity of the singer's feelings and the importance of the other person in their life.

'Cantigas Populares' refers to popular folk songs in Brazil, and 'Peixe Vivo' is a prime example of how these songs often encapsulate universal emotions and situations through simple and relatable imagery. The song's enduring popularity suggests that its themes of love, dependency, and the pain of separation resonate with many people, regardless of their background or culture.