Campo Branco

Elomar Figueira Melo's song 'Campo Branco' is a poignant reflection on the struggles and hopes of rural life in the Brazilian countryside. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a parched landscape, where the absence of rain symbolizes not just physical drought but also emotional desolation. The repeated mention of 'pena' (sorrow) and 'pena secou' (sorrow dried up) underscores the deep sense of loss and longing experienced by the narrator. This sorrow is not just for the land but also for the love that seems to have withered away, much like the fields around them.

Despite the bleakness, the song is imbued with a sense of resilience and faith. The narrator's plea to God, 'Peço a Deus a meu Deus grande Deus de Abrãao,' reflects a deep spiritual connection and a belief that divine intervention can bring relief and renewal. This faith is mirrored in the hopeful anticipation of rain, which is seen as a metaphor for emotional and spiritual rejuvenation. The imagery of 'relampo e trovão' (lightning and thunder) heralding the arrival of rain suggests a dramatic and transformative change, one that will bring life back to the barren fields and joy back to the narrator's heart.

The song also touches on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. The mention of 'marrã vão tê' (the ewes will give birth) and 'meu dia inda vai nascer' (my day will still be born) speaks to the hope that, despite current hardships, better times are on the horizon. The reference to 'sete casca aruêra' (a type of tree known for its resilience) singing for the narrator further emphasizes the theme of endurance and the promise of renewal. 'Campo Branco' is a beautiful testament to the enduring human spirit, the power of faith, and the hope that sustains us through life's toughest challenges.