A Feira

O Rappa's song 'A Feira' paints a vivid picture of a bustling marketplace, a place where people from all walks of life come together. The repetition of 'É dia de feira' (It's market day) emphasizes the regularity and importance of these gatherings, regardless of the day of the week. The market is a microcosm of society, welcoming everyone from the 'maluco' (crazy person) to the 'madame' (lady), from 'Maurício' to the 'atriz' (actress). This inclusivity highlights the market as a communal space where social barriers are temporarily dissolved.

The lyrics delve deeper into the life of a vendor selling herbs that 'curam e acalmam' (heal and calm) and 'aliviam e temperam' (relieve and season). These herbs symbolize alternative remedies, both literal and metaphorical, for the pressures of modern life. The vendor's acknowledgment that 'os remédios normais nem sempre amenizam a pressão' (normal medicines don't always relieve the pressure) suggests a critique of conventional medicine and perhaps a broader commentary on societal pressures that traditional solutions fail to address.

However, the vendor operates in a gray area, admitting 'eu não sou autorizado' (I am not authorized). This line introduces a sense of illegitimacy and risk, reflecting the precarious nature of informal economies. The vendor's need to 'escapo' (escape) when 'o Rappa chega' (the police arrive) underscores the tension between survival and legality. The song thus becomes a narrative of resilience and adaptability, portraying the market as a space of both opportunity and danger, where people seek solace and solutions outside the mainstream.