Apesar de Usted

The song "Apesar de Você" by Chico Buarque is a powerful and poetic protest against authoritarianism and censorship. Written during the military dictatorship in Brazil (1964-1985), the lyrics are a cleverly veiled critique of the oppressive regime, using metaphor and allegory to evade censorship and express hope for a brighter future.

The song begins by addressing an unnamed 'you,' who has the power to command and enforce silence among the people. This 'you' is a metaphor for the dictatorship itself, which 'invented' a state of darkness and sin but forgot to invent forgiveness. The repetition of 'usted' (you) emphasizes the direct confrontation with the oppressive power. The lyrics then shift to a hopeful tone, declaring that despite the current situation, a new day will come, filled with joy, love, and freedom that cannot be repressed. The rooster's crow and the new water springing are symbols of the inevitable arrival of this new day.

Chico Buarque's lyrics are a call for resilience and a reminder that oppression is temporary. The song's chorus, 'A pesar de usted, mañana ha de ser otro día' (Despite you, tomorrow will be another day), is a defiant message of optimism. It suggests that no matter how much the regime tries to suppress the spirit of the people, change is on the horizon. The song ends with a vision of the day of liberation, where poetry spills over and the people's chorus cannot be silenced, directly challenging the regime's authority and its attempts to control expression.