Tanto Mar

Chico Buarque's song 'Tanto Mar' is a poignant reflection on distance, longing, and political change. The lyrics express the singer's desire to participate in a significant event from which he is separated by 'tanto mar,' or 'so much sea.' The repeated use of 'pá,' a colloquial Portuguese term for 'buddy' or 'pal,' adds a personal and intimate touch to the song, suggesting a conversation with a close friend or compatriot.

The song was written in response to the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974, which ended decades of dictatorship. The 'cravo' (carnation) mentioned in the lyrics is a symbol of this revolution. Buarque's use of the flower as a motif represents both the celebration of freedom and the personal sorrow of not being able to experience this momentous event firsthand. The 'flower in the garden' and the 'scent of rosemary' are metaphors for the freshness and hope of the new era that the revolution promised.

Despite the joyous occasion, there is a tone of melancholy in the song, as the singer acknowledges the physical and emotional distance that separates him from the celebrations. The 'sickness' he refers to could be interpreted as a metaphor for the pain of exile or separation from one's homeland. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the belief that the seeds of change, once planted, will eventually lead to renewal, symbolized by the 'scent of rosemary' that he asks to be sent to him once again.