Labareda

How does the club go on without its star?
Who’s gonna lead the samba?
Scratching the ground with their faith, who is it?
Our flag’s flying at half-mast,
Meyer’s crying, Madureira’s sad,
And that table at Alcazar.
I know, it swayed into infinity,
And today the sky looks more beautiful,
There’s a star dancing up there.
Who is it...
Who touched the Brazilian soul,
Like someone touches their partner,
Skin on skin until it bleeds?
They made samba flow from every pore,
From Bantu, from Portuguese, Bororos,
To denounce or to dream.
Who is this smooth talker,
With a last name like wood,
And a flame in their eyes?
João, the block’s leaving whether you like it or not,
And we’ll have one last drink
After the nostalgia parades by.
Only those with strength come and sing,
And release this knot in their throat,
In tears that your memory brings.
Singing this pain brings healing,
And like that, a light grows,
Helping us to live in peace.