A Morte Saiu À Rua

José Afonso's 'A Morte Saiu À Rua' is a poignant and powerful song that serves as a stark reminder of the brutality of oppression and the spirit of resistance. The song, whose title translates to 'Death Went Down the Street,' is a response to the political climate in Portugal during the Estado Novo regime, a time marked by censorship and repression. The lyrics speak of death personified, walking the streets, leaving a trail of blood—a metaphor for the violence inflicted by the authoritarian state on its citizens.

The song references a specific event, the murder of a painter, which symbolizes the broader struggle and sacrifice of those who opposed the regime. The 'river of blood' from the open chest is a vivid image of the ultimate price paid for freedom and justice. The mention of the 'sound of the anvil' and the 'scythe of a harvester' evokes the working-class struggle and the rural roots of Portuguese culture, tying the individual's death to the collective experience of the nation.

José Afonso uses the song to call for retribution and justice, 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' reflecting the anger and desire for change among the oppressed. The final verses offer a glimpse of hope, with graves in the road's curve becoming the birthplace of roses of a nation, symbolizing the eventual triumph of the resistance and the blossoming of a new era of freedom. 'A Morte Saiu À Rua' is not just a lament; it is a rallying cry for resilience and a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of tyranny.