Beradêro

Chico César's 'Beradêro' is a rich tapestry of imagery and metaphor, weaving together the complexities of Brazilian culture, social issues, and personal emotions. The song opens with a melancholic scene, where the 'sad eyes of the tape' suggest a reflection on the past or a longing for something lost. The 'girl sewing clothes with the line of the Equator' could symbolize the blending of different cultures and the laborious nature of life along this geographical divide.

The lyrics proceed to paint a picture of urban life, with references to the 'soul of the driver' and the 'lipstick on the northern lip,' possibly indicating the vibrancy and diversity of city life. The mention of 'Paulo Freire'—a renowned Brazilian educator known for his advocacy of critical pedagogy—alongside the 'illiterate gypsy' reading hands, may point to the contrasts between education and superstition, literacy and illiteracy, and the different ways people find guidance in life.

The chorus, with its repetition of 'sounds of yeses,' juxtaposed with 'broken foot, silent verse, scream in the hospital of our people,' captures the paradoxes of existence. The 'contentedness of the sad' and the 'sadness of the happy' reflect the duality of emotions, while the 'scream in the hospital' could be a metaphor for the pain and suffering that pervade society. The song's refrain, mentioning 'Catolé do Rocha,' a place in Brazil, and the 'man-goat screams,' adds a layer of local color and may allude to the struggles and vocal expressions of the marginalized in Brazilian society.