Sobradinho

The song 'Sobradinho' by Sá, Rodrix & Guarabyra poignantly captures the profound impact of human intervention on nature and communities. The lyrics tell the story of the construction of the Sobradinho Dam in Brazil, which led to the flooding of several towns and the displacement of their inhabitants. The opening lines, 'O homem chega / Já desfaz a natureza,' highlight the disruptive force of human activity, as people are removed and a dam is built, promising change but also bringing destruction.

The song references the São Francisco River and the prophecy that the sertão (a semi-arid region in Brazil) would be flooded, turning into a sea. This transformation is depicted as a slow, inevitable process, 'E passo a passo / Vai cumprindo a profecia,' fulfilling the words of a beato (a holy man). The recurring line, 'O sertão vai virar mar,' symbolizes this drastic change, evoking a sense of loss and fear. The fear is further emphasized by the line, 'O medo que algum dia / O mar também vire sertão,' suggesting a cyclical nature of destruction and transformation, where the sea could one day become a desert.

The song also bids farewell to the towns of Remanso, Casa Nova, Sento Sé, and Pilão Arcado, which were submerged by the dam's waters. The imagery of life being swallowed by the river, 'Debaixo d'água lá se vai a vida inteira,' and the gaiola (a type of boat) rising over the waterfall, paints a vivid picture of the dramatic changes. The construction of the dam at Sobradinho is a central event, causing the people to leave in fear of drowning, 'E o povo vai simbora com medo de se afogar.' The song captures the emotional and physical upheaval experienced by the affected communities, blending themes of environmental change, displacement, and the loss of a way of life.