“Selvagem” (Paralamas, 1987)
In honor of lead singer and guitarist Herbert Vianna’s 64th birthday today, a protest song by Paralamas do Sucesso that seems as relevant today as it did when it came out.
“Selvagem”
A polícia apresenta suas armas
Escudos transparentes, cassetetes
Capacetes reluzentes e a determinação
De manter tudo em seu lugar
O governo apresenta suas armas
Discurso reticente, novidade inconsistente
E a liberdade cai por terra
Aos pés de um filme de Godard
A cidade apresenta suas armas
Meninos nos sinais, mendigos pelos cantos
E o espanto está nos olhos de quem vê
O grande monstro a se criar
Os negros apresentam suas armas
As costas marcadas, as mãos calejadas
E a esperteza que só tem
Quem tá cansado de apanhar
Polícia para quem precisa
Polícia para quem precisa de polícia
Polícia para quem precisa
Polícia para quem precisa de polícia
“Savage”
The police present their arms
Transparent shields, truncheons
Shiny helmets and the determination
To keep everything in its place
The government presents its arms
Reticent discourse, inconsistent innovation
And freedom falls to the ground
At the feet of a Godard film
The city presents its arms
Kids at traffic lights, beggars in the corners
And fear is in the eyes of those who see
The great monster being created
Black people present their arms
The scarred backs, the rough hands
And the savvy only earned
By those who are tired of taking it
Police for those in need
Police for those who need police
Police for those in need
Police for those who need police