Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Eu so favela, Seu Jorge from Cru
(I am the "shantytown”)


The favela
was never a refuge for marginals (delinquents)
The favela
was never a refuge for marginals (delinquents)

She only has humble people who are marginalized
And that’s the truth you don’t read in the papers

The favela is, a social problem
The favela is, a social problem

Yes, but I am the favela
I can speak from experience
My people are hard working
They never had public assistance
She only lives there
Because for poor people, there’s no other way
Your only right
Is for a salary of hunger and that’s normal life

The favela is, a social problem
The favela is, a social problem

The favela
was never a refuge for marginals (delinquents)
The favela
was never a refuge for marginals (delinquents)

She only has humble people who are marginalized
And that’s the truth you don’t read in the papers

The favela is, a social problem
The favela is, a social problem

Yes, but I am the favela
I can speak from experience
My people are hard working
They never had public assistance
She only lives there
Because for poor people, there’s no other way
Your only right
Is for a salary of hunger and that’s normal life

The favela is, a social problem
The favela is, a social problem

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You mean " I am the Favela. " Favela= Ghetto. I understand shantytown is the same thing but more of a direct translation would be " I am the ghetto. "

5:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Correction: "Eu Sou Favela" appears on the album Presidente Caô Caô in 1992. Seu Jorge covers the song on Cru in 2004 but Bezerra da Silva is the original composer and lyricist.

Regarding the word favela, many countries have specific names for their marginal settlements. Ghetto may be frequently used in the United States but it is culturally conceited to consider it "more of a direct translation." I would argue that favela doesn't require a translation at all as it describes something that is characteristic of Brazil. Anyone who is remotely aware of Brazilian culture should know what it means and those who aren't shouldn't have trouble finding out.

Keep up the good translation work. I would be interested to see how you handle "Queen Bitch" from The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions.

5:13 AM  

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