Voa Bicho

Milton Nascimento's song 'Voa Bicho' is a poetic exploration of freedom, longing, and the human condition. The recurring imagery of the 'andorinha' (swallow) serves as a powerful metaphor for the desire to break free from constraints and soar into the unknown. The swallow, a bird known for its migratory patterns, symbolizes the innate human urge to explore, to move beyond the familiar, and to seek new horizons. This is evident in the lines 'E lá vou eu como passarinho / Sem destino nem sensatez,' where the narrator likens himself to a bird flying without a clear destination or sense, driven by an instinctual need for freedom.

The song also delves into themes of vulnerability and emotional impact. The swallow's actions—making a nest in the narrator's hat and hand, and creating a 'buraco' (hole) in the sky and heart—suggest a deep emotional connection and the pain that often accompanies such bonds. The imagery of the bird making a nest in the narrator's hand and heart highlights the intimate and personal nature of these experiences. The 'buraco' in the heart signifies a sense of loss or longing, a void that the narrator feels deeply.

Moreover, the song touches on the limitations of human effort and the power of nature. The line 'Andorinha faz a canção / Que eu não fiz' reflects a sense of humility and recognition that some things are beyond human control or creation. The swallow's ability to fly 'mais do que minha voz' and its 'força' (strength) compared to the narrator's hand emphasize the bird's natural prowess and the narrator's admiration for it. Yet, the acknowledgment that 'sozinha não faz verão' (alone it does not make summer) serves as a reminder of the importance of community and collective effort, even in the pursuit of freedom and happiness.