Happy Birthday, Raul Seixas!
In honor of the birthday of the man sometimes called the “Father of Brazilian Rock,” here’s a translation of one his more controversial songs, from his 1973 album “Krig-há, Bandolo!” That album title comes from Tarzan’s cry in an old cartoon and is said to mean “Careful, I’ll kill you!” It also seems to speak to Raul Seixas’s other nickname: “Maluco Beleza” which translates as something like “Cool Lunatic” or “Beauteous Madman” or, more in the terminology of his day, “Groovy Maniac.”
“Al Capone”
Hey, Al Capone, try to straighten up
They found out about your screw up
On the income tax, dude
Hey, Al Capone, try to figure things out
The way they’re going, dude
Chicago won’t put up with it
Hey, Julius Caesar, maybe don’t go to the senate
They already know your plan to control the State
Hey, Lampião, take off, disappear
Because they’re going to the market to show off your head
Hey, Jimi Hendrix, leave the stage now
Do what Sinatra did, buy a car and go away
Hey, Jesus Christ, the best you can do
Is put your Dad aside and flee to die in peace
I’m an astrologer
I’m an astrologer
You need to believe me
I’m an astrologer
I’m an astrologer
And I know the story from beginning to end