Cálice

The song 'Cálice' by Gilberto Gil is a powerful protest anthem that emerged during a time of political repression in Brazil, under the military dictatorship that lasted from 1964 to 1985. The title 'Cálice' itself is a play on words, as it sounds like 'cálice' (chalice) and 'cale-se' (be silent), reflecting the song's themes of censorship and the struggle for freedom of expression.

The lyrics poignantly express the pain and frustration of living under an oppressive regime. The repeated plea, 'Pai, afasta de mim esse cálice' ('Father, take this cup away from me'), alludes to the Biblical scene of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking God to spare him from his suffering. In the context of the song, the 'cup' symbolizes the bitter 'drink' of living under dictatorship, with its violence and lies. The references to silence and being unable to speak out ('Essa palavra presa na garganta') highlight the enforced silence of the time.

Gilberto Gil uses vivid imagery to convey the suffocating atmosphere of the era ('Quero lançar um grito desumano') and the desire to break free from it ('Quero inventar o meu próprio pecado'). The song is a call to consciousness and resistance, urging listeners to remain alert and to seek their own paths of rebellion ('Na arquibancada pra a qualquer momento / Ver emergir o monstro da lagoa'). Despite the heavy censorship, 'Cálice' became a symbol of resistance and is still celebrated as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tyranny.