Lei Da Periferia

This is just the life of many in São Mateus;
But it's also the life of many in the north zone;
In the south zone, in the west zone, and in our east zone.

(2x) This is the life of many in São Mateus.

The lack of money in that shack was a problem
Another head of the family kept God
As the supreme force, his only motto
Two kids, the result of a successful marriage
But financially screwed
Unemployed, stealing nothing and there, buddy
This life won't play this card on me
In the morning a gig here and there
That's how it goes on without giving up
His kids, both raised on the streets
What to do, it's destiny screwing them over boldly
And the eldest, only 15 years old
Without the father noticing, he's already making moves
Periphery law, who would've thought?
Many are screwed every day
The youngest follows the steps of the older brother
Hides his gun in the ceiling
I don't want to screw myself, I don't want to see anything missing at home
Will I see my father screwing himself alone because of us?
Mother's regret seeing things arrive differently at home
And what the kids were doing, the poor woman was enduring
Afraid of a beating or conflicts at home
Because the law was strict by the father in this area, in this area.

(2x) This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Periphery law, who would've thought?)
This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Small and poor, humble, another neighborhood of mine)

Time's cruelty, destiny set a big trap
Against that man, death was scheduled
Happy to earn a few bucks with a smile on his face
That day, he was going to leave the hill to be with God
Respected in the area for his honesty
A worker, the only problem was drinking
But he was good at home, no problems
But his time was very close, approaching
Gave the money to his wife and went to the bar
Where he talked and drank a shot of cachaça
Relaxed, he didn't notice the car pulling up
Saw nothing, not even his own death, bam, bam
His wife hears the shots and runs there;
Sees her husband fallen, despairs and starts crying
And the only phrase she heard
Jump, thief, and you too, so you don't screw up my life.

(2x) This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Periphery law, who would've thought?)
This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Small and poor, humble, another neighborhood of mine)

The news reaches the eldest and he doesn't cry
And says loudly and screwed
I don't want to know, I'll go after each of these criminals
He went after the bastards and now his father is avenged
The promise that was made is fulfilled
Now it's me who takes care of my family
At first, he tried to follow his father's example
But destiny was treacherous and stabbed him in the back
He returns to the life he led now openly
He's a successful thief now, unfortunately
The police keep an eye on him, they're on his tail
A toll every day so he doesn't leave either
But unfortunately, he's bumped into another area
No deal, he was knocked down with his face buried in the ditch
Periphery law, who would've thought?
Many are screwed every day
Another suffering for that woman
First the husband, then the son, see how destiny is
Because this is the life of many there in São Mateus
Small, poor, humble, another neighborhood of mine.

(2x) This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Periphery law, who would've thought?)
This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Small and poor, humble, another neighborhood of mine)

That Friday the 13th was cool for me
The first cool Friday the 13th of my existence
It was the day I volunteered to distance myself from the neglect
Of a whitewashed system
I woke up early to see the sunrise
I already received the news of those who died
And the list of those who were to die
I'm sick of hearing these ideas
Beating, rape, drugs, murder
I hope one day to wake up to good news
Without violence, without racists, without police
Without hearing an old lady crying because her shack was invaded
Without hearing kids shouting 'I don't want to go to school'
Without seeing a woman fighting with her alcoholic husband
It's tough, I'll take a walk and come back later
To see if my mind controls this passing time
I stopped at a newsstand to read the newspaper, I messed up
Because the headline was a blood-splattered massacre
The news is tough, this way of life is not for me
I'll look for a quiet place to think
I need to take care of my mom now
I'll abandon crime and start a new life
I'll start another journey
Go back to school, work before the rats take over my space with bullets
Before my mom sees my body riddled with bullets.

(4x) This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Periphery law, who would've thought?)
This is the life of many in São Mateus
(Small and poor, humble, another neighborhood of mine)