Negro Amor

Engenheiros do Hawaii's song 'Negro Amor' is a poignant exploration of loss, disillusionment, and the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics, filled with vivid imagery and metaphors, paint a picture of a person urging another to leave and take everything they can, as there is nothing left for them. The repeated phrase 'negro amor' (black love) suggests a love that has turned dark, perhaps due to betrayal, disappointment, or the harsh realities of life.

The song opens with a sense of urgency, telling the listener to gather their belongings and leave. The mention of a 'feio e louco' (ugly and crazy) child left behind, crying in the sunlight, evokes a sense of abandonment and sorrow. The reference to alchemists in the corridor hints at a search for transformation or escape, but ultimately, there is 'nada' (nothing) left, emphasizing the emptiness and futility.

As the song progresses, it delves deeper into themes of disillusionment. The 'pintor de rua' (street painter) drawing madness on his sheet and the sky cracking underfoot symbolize a world falling apart. The imagery of sailors abandoning the sea and warriors laying down their arms further underscores the sense of defeat and resignation. Even the romantic partner is leaving, taking the blankets, leaving the protagonist in a state of desolation.

In the final verse, the song advises leaving the stones of the path behind and forgetting the dead, as they won't rise again. This suggests a need to move on from past burdens and losses. The vagabond wearing the protagonist's old clothes symbolizes the remnants of a past life, while striking another match signifies the hope for a new beginning, albeit in a world that has lost its color and light. 'Negro Amor' is a haunting reflection on the end of a relationship and the bleakness that follows, capturing the essence of heartbreak and the struggle to find meaning in its aftermath.