Happy Birthday, Chico!

Last year I honored Chico Buarque’s birthday with a whole week of his songs. This year, I’m translating the 2011 tribute from rapper Criolo, who has reimagined Chico’s powerful protest song to respond to more contemporary issues, making it even more poignant. Chico appreciated the tribute so much that he has incorporated this version into his shows.

Listen to Criolo’s song followed by Chico singing it
Chico Buarque’s original version

“Chalice”
How to get to work without getting shot
Get back home without taking a bullet
If at three a.m. someone’s strung out
Who’s capable of doing anything to stay high

The book clubs had to invade the bars
Cuz a library wasn’t a place for poetry
Libraries have to have silence
And people who think of themselves as wise

There’s prejudice against the northeasterner
There’s prejudice against the Black man
There’s prejudice against the illiterate
But there’s no prejudice if one of the three is rich, father

The dictatorship follows my friend Milton
The repression follows my friend Chico
They call me Criolo and my cradle is rap
But my poetry has no borders

Father, take this biqueira from me
Father, take this from me
Father, take the cocaine away from me
Father, because blood flows in the hood