Seca d'Água

The song 'Seca d'Água' by Nordeste Já poignantly captures the harsh realities faced by the people of Brazil's Northeast region. The lyrics lament the cruel twist of fate that has befallen the area, where the natural elements have wreaked havoc. The song begins by highlighting the devastating impact of a prolonged drought, followed by an overwhelming deluge in 1985. This sudden shift from extreme dryness to excessive rainfall has left the region in a state of despair, illustrating the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of the environment.

The song emphasizes the irony and tragedy of the situation. While droughts are a common and well-known hardship in the Northeast, the 'seca d'água' or 'water drought'—a term used to describe the flooding—presents an even more severe challenge. The lyrics describe how the gentle rains that usually bring life to crops like corn, rice, beans, cassava, and peanuts were replaced by torrential downpours that even the frogs found unbearable. The song specifically mentions the suffering in states like Maranhão, Piauí, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Ceará, painting a vivid picture of the widespread devastation.

The song also serves as a plea to the government and those in power, urging them to recognize and address the plight of the affected families. The imagery of cities like Iguatu and Sobral being inundated by rivers, and the lament of the displaced and destitute, underscores the urgent need for intervention. The repeated refrain, 'A sorte do nordestino é mesmo de fazer dó,' which translates to 'The luck of the Northeasterner is truly pitiful,' encapsulates the enduring resilience and suffering of the people. Through its evocative lyrics, 'Seca d'Água' not only tells a story of environmental catastrophe but also calls for empathy and action from the broader nation.