Velha Porteira

In 'Velha Porteira,' Lourenço e Lourival delve into the profound emotions tied to returning to one's roots and confronting the inevitable changes brought by time. The song begins with the narrator passing through an old gate, a symbolic threshold that brings him closer to his homeland. This moment is charged with emotion, as the narrator's tears signify the end of a long period of anguish and the fulfillment of a dream to revisit the place where he grew up. The gate, or 'porteira,' serves as a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the connection to one's past.

As the narrator arrives at the farm, he is met with a cruel surprise. The once-familiar landscape has transformed significantly, with many of the people having moved away and the old colony now deserted. This stark change highlights the theme of impermanence and the bittersweet nature of returning to a place that no longer resembles the cherished memories of one's youth. The friends who remain have changed so much that they are unrecognizable, and they, in turn, do not recognize the narrator, underscoring the passage of time and the changes it brings to people and places alike.

The song concludes with a poignant reflection on the old gate itself, which has deteriorated over the years. Its worn and fallen posts symbolize the passage of time and the erosion of the past. The gate's once-familiar creaks and groans now serve as a haunting reminder of a childhood that can never be reclaimed. 'Velha Porteira' is a deeply nostalgic song that captures the universal experience of returning to a place that has changed beyond recognition, evoking a sense of longing for a simpler, bygone era.