Angélica

Chico Buarque's song 'Angélica' is a poignant and haunting tribute to the pain and sorrow of a mother who has lost her child. The lyrics are imbued with a deep sense of mourning and longing, as the mother repeatedly asks, 'Quem é essa mulher?' ('Who is this woman?'), reflecting her own identity and the role she has been forced into by her grief. The repetition of this question underscores the relentless nature of her sorrow and the way it has come to define her existence.

The mother in the song expresses a simple yet profound desire: to comfort her child, who now 'mora na escuridão do mar' ('lives in the darkness of the sea'). This metaphorical language suggests that her child has passed away, and the sea represents the vast, unfathomable realm of death. The mother's lament is not just for the loss of her child but also for the unfulfilled dreams and the life that was cut short. Her wish to 'embalar meu filho' ('rock my child') and 'agasalhar meu anjo' ('shelter my angel') speaks to the universal maternal instinct to protect and nurture, even in the face of insurmountable loss.

Chico Buarque, known for his socially and politically charged music, often addresses themes of injustice and human suffering. 'Angélica' can be seen as a broader commentary on the countless mothers who have lost their children to violence, war, or other tragedies. The song's melancholic melody and repetitive structure mirror the cyclical nature of grief, where the pain is ever-present and the memories of the lost loved one are constantly revisited. Through 'Angélica,' Buarque gives voice to the silent suffering of these mothers, making their private anguish a public testament to the enduring impact of loss.