O Malandro 2

Chico Buarque's song 'O Malandro 2' paints a vivid and harrowing picture of a marginalized figure, the 'malandro,' who is a common character in Brazilian culture, often depicted as a streetwise hustler or rogue. In this song, however, the malandro is portrayed in a state of utter destitution and decay, lying in the gutter of society. The lyrics describe his physical and social degradation in graphic detail, highlighting the harsh realities faced by those on the fringes of society.

The song opens with the malandro in a dire situation, lying in the gutter, with passersby finding amusement in his misery. This reflects a societal indifference to the suffering of the less fortunate. The malandro's physical state is described with brutal honesty: he is in a coma, with a hematoma on his nose and a deep scar on his side. His face is swarmed by flies, and he is likened to a 'presunto,' a term that can mean both 'ham' and 'corpse,' emphasizing his dehumanization.

As the song progresses, the malandro's condition worsens. He is found with more wounds than Jesus, and his body is described as putrefying, with pus oozing from his abdomen and his blood forming pools on the ground. Despite his evident death, the song ends with a paradoxical statement that he still moves, referencing Galileo's famous assertion that the Earth moves. This could symbolize the enduring presence and resilience of the marginalized, even in the face of death and societal neglect.

'O Malandro 2' is a powerful commentary on social inequality and the dehumanization of the poor. Through its stark imagery and poignant lyrics, Chico Buarque forces listeners to confront the often-ignored suffering of those at the bottom of the social hierarchy.