Dezessete e Setecentos

The song "Dezessete e Setecentos" by Luiz Gonzaga is a playful narrative that revolves around a simple mathematical transaction gone humorously wrong. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer gives someone twenty thousand réis (an old Brazilian currency) to pay a debt of three hundred and three réis. The singer insists that he should receive sixteen thousand and seven hundred réis in change, but there is a comical confusion over whether it should be sixteen or seventeen thousand and seven hundred réis.

Luiz Gonzaga, known as the 'King of Baião', was a prominent Brazilian folk singer, songwriter, and musician. His music often incorporated elements of humor and storytelling, reflecting the culture and daily life of the Brazilian Northeast. In this song, Gonzaga uses a simple and repetitive structure to create a humorous effect, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation. The repeated questioning of the correct amount of change serves as a comedic device, highlighting the character's stubbornness and possible ignorance in basic arithmetic.

The song also touches on themes of education and social commentary. The character claims to be educated, having attended an academy and knowing geography and multiplication, yet he struggles with a simple subtraction. This irony points to a larger critique of the educational system or the individual's boastful nature. The final lines of the song suggest a frustration with ignorance, as the singer laments that such situations are why Brazil does not progress. It's a humorous take on a serious subject, using a light-hearted dispute to comment on broader societal issues.