Funerale Di Un Contadino

Chico Buarque's song "Funerale Di Un Contadino" is a poignant and ironic commentary on social injustice, particularly focusing on the plight of the rural poor. The lyrics describe a small grave, which is ironically referred to as the only piece of land the deceased peasant could ever truly call his own. This grave, described as neither too wide nor too deep, symbolizes the minimal and inadequate compensation for a life of hardship and deprivation. The peasant's final resting place is depicted as the only 'fair' share of land he ever received, highlighting the cruel irony of his situation.

The song's tone is both somber and biting, as it underscores the disparity between the peasant's life and death. In life, he struggled for a fair share of land, a common theme in agrarian societies where land ownership is often a source of conflict and inequality. In death, he finally receives a piece of land, but it is a grave—a stark reminder of the systemic injustices that plagued his existence. The grave is described as 'just right,' a bitter nod to the fact that in death, the peasant is afforded more space and comfort than he ever had in life.

Buarque's use of irony is particularly striking. The grave is referred to as 'large' for a 'small dead man,' emphasizing the insignificance of the peasant in the eyes of society. Yet, in this small plot of land, he finds more comfort than he ever did while alive. This stark contrast serves as a powerful critique of the social and economic systems that fail to provide for the living but offer a semblance of 'justice' in death. The song is a somber reflection on the harsh realities faced by the rural poor and a call to recognize and address these enduring inequalities.