Tanto Mar (2ª versão)

Chico Buarque's song 'Tanto Mar (2ª versão)' is a poignant reflection on distance, longing, and the enduring hope for change. The song was originally written to celebrate the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, which overthrew the Estado Novo regime in 1974. However, the version discussed here, the second version, subtly shifts its focus, reflecting on the ongoing struggles and the distance between ideals and reality.

The lyrics begin with a festive tone, reminiscing about a beautiful celebration ('Foi bonita a festa, pá'), but quickly juxtapose this with a sense of something lost or faded ('Já murcharam tua festa, pá'). The 'old carnation' that the singer keeps is a symbol of revolutionary fervor that has wilted yet left behind a seed—suggesting a lingering hope or potential for renewal. This metaphor of a seed left in a garden underscores the possibility of future growth and change, despite current disillusionment or setbacks.

The recurring refrain about the vast sea ('Tanto mar, tanto mar') separating the singer from the place of the festivity emphasizes the physical and metaphorical distances that need to be navigated. The call for the scent of rosemary ('algum cheirinho de alecrim') at the end of the song evokes a sensory memory that connects distant lands, suggesting that while the physical divide is vast, the emotional and ideological connection remains strong. This song, therefore, beautifully captures the complexity of exile, memory, and the enduring hope for a better future.