Mar e Lua

Chico Buarque's song 'Mar e Lua' is a poetic exploration of love, nature, and transformation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two lovers whose relationship is deeply intertwined with the elements of the sea and the moon. The imagery of 'bocas salgadas pela maresia' (mouths salted by the sea breeze) and 'costas lanhadas pela tempestade' (backs lashed by the storm) suggests a love that is both passionate and tumultuous, marked by the raw forces of nature. This connection to the natural world is further emphasized by the setting of a city 'distante do mar' (distant from the sea), highlighting a longing for the ocean's embrace.

The song also delves into themes of forbidden love and societal judgment. The lines 'amavam o amor proibido' (they loved forbidden love) and 'uma andava tonta, grávida de lua' (one walked dizzy, pregnant with the moon) evoke a sense of defiance against societal norms. The lovers' actions, such as lifting their skirts on moonlit beaches, symbolize a pursuit of happiness and freedom despite the constraints imposed by their environment. This defiance is met with ridicule and gossip, as indicated by 'ouvindo risadas, sentindo arrepios' (hearing laughter, feeling shivers), yet the lovers remain undeterred, finding solace in the moonlit river that 'continua correndo pro mar' (continues running to the sea).

The transformation of the lovers into elements of the sea—'virando peixes, virando conchas, virando seixos' (turning into fish, turning into shells, turning into pebbles)—is a powerful metaphor for the eternal cycle of life and love. This metamorphosis signifies a return to nature, where the lovers become part of the ocean's timeless rhythm. The imagery of 'prateada areia com lua cheia' (silver sand with a full moon) at the song's conclusion encapsulates the beauty and serenity of this union, suggesting that true love transcends human limitations and becomes one with the natural world.