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The Sights and Voices of Dispossession: The Fight for the Land and the Emerging Culture of the MST (The Movement of the Landless Rural Workers of Brazil)

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English (mude para Português)

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Emerging culture by media type -> Lyrics 88 resources (Edited by Else R P Vieira)

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Culture: Canon of exclusion

Author:

Lyrics: Protásio Prates - Tuca
(Translated by Bernard McGuirk)

Title:

Candelária


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When the bullet strikes the bell • it strikes more than metal
So much pain in that boy • who trusted in the cathedral
He took refuge • from his lonely destiny
Who could tell what would be • your eternal dream, my boy.

Candelária, Candelária • for whom do your bells toll
Would it be for those who clamour • or perhaps for those still silent
In the misery of the people • what decides is the rifle
How shameful Candelária • you're the emblem of Brazil
How shameful Candelária • you're the emblem of Brazil.

When the lead weighs heavy • on the conscience of whoever has one
Out to the world go the screams • which come to us now from afar
It makes me want to send them back • the lead too
for justice only exists • for convenience's sake.

Whoever left the kids • running loose in aimless streets
Locked up Christ within the walls • and shut the gate of heaven
What do I do, what do you do • with the bestial
Model that corrupts • when it comes from authority itself.

This song is from the CD Art in movement

 to CD

Date:

November 2002

Resource ID:

CANDELRI257

Glossary

Compiled by Else R P Vieira. Translation © Thomas Burns.

Candelária
'An important Catholic church in the city of Rio de Janeiro. In July 1993, there was a massacre outside the church, when eight street children were murdered. This fact stirs the indignation of popular movements until today, for which reason Candelária was transformed into a representation of the struggle against violence in the city and the country' (Fernandes, Bernardo Mançano. Pequeno Vocabulário da Luta pela Terra. Unpublished). 

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Web Site created: January 2003
Last updated: July 5th 2016

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