A Cruz e a Espada

Renato Russo's song 'A Cruz e a Espada' delves into the complex emotions of growing up and the inevitable loss of innocence. The lyrics reflect a journey from a time of childlike simplicity and fear to a more complicated adult world. The opening lines, 'Havia um tempo em que eu vivia / Um sentimento quase infantil,' set the stage for a nostalgic look back at a simpler, more innocent time. This period was marked by timidity and fear, aspects of the singer's personality that were hidden from others.

As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal a pivotal moment symbolized by a kiss, which serves as both an end and a beginning. 'Aquele beijo era mesmo o fim / Era o começo,' suggests a transformative experience that leads to a loss of desire and a sense of disconnection from oneself. This duality of endings and beginnings is a recurring theme, highlighting the bittersweet nature of growing up.

The latter part of the song portrays a frantic search for meaning and connection in a world that has become increasingly complex. The lines 'E agora eu ando correndo tanto / Procurando aquele novo lugar' capture the urgency and confusion of this quest. The singer finds themselves waking up next to someone they barely know, symbolizing the loss of genuine connection and the adulteration of innocence by time. The repeated realization that 'Aquele beijo era o fim, o fim / Era o começo' underscores the cyclical nature of life and the continuous interplay between endings and new beginnings.