Write an explanation of the deep poetic meaning of the song "Roda Viva" by Chico Buarque — the lyrics are below.
Roda Viva
Chico Buarque
Tem dias que a gente se sente
Como quem partiu ou morreu
A gente estancou de repente
Ou foi o mundo então que cresceu
A gente quer ter voz ativa
No nosso destino mandar
Mas eis que chega a roda-viva
E carrega o destino pra lá
Roda mundo, roda-gigante
Rodamoinho, roda pião
O tempo rodou num instante
Nas voltas do meu coração
A gente vai contra a corrente
Até não poder resistir
Na volta do barco é que sente
O quanto deixou de cumprir
Faz tempo que a gente cultiva
A mais linda roseira que há
Mas eis que chega a roda-viva
E carrega a roseira pra lá
Roda mundo, roda-gigante
Rodamoinho, roda pião
O tempo rodou num instante
Nas voltas do meu coração
A roda da saia, a mulata
Não quer mais rodar, não senhor
Não posso fazer serenata
A roda de samba acabou
A gente toma a iniciativa
Viola na rua, a cantar
Mas eis que chega a roda-viva
E carrega a viola pra lá
Roda mundo, roda-gigante
Rodamoinho, roda pião
O tempo rodou num instante
Nas voltas do meu coração
O samba, a viola, a roseira
Um dia a fogueira queimou
Foi tudo ilusão passageira
Que a brisa primeira levou
No peito a saudade cativa
Faz força pro tempo parar
Mas eis que chega a roda-viva
E carrega a saudade pra lá
Roda mundo, roda-gigante
Rodamoinho, roda pião
O tempo rodou num instante
Nas voltas do meu coração
Roda mundo, roda-gigante
Rodamoinho, roda pião
O tempo rodou num instante
Nas voltas do meu coração
Roda mundo, roda-gigante
Rodamoinho, roda pião
O tempo rodou num instante
Nas voltas do meu coração
"Roda Viva" by Chico Buarque is a profoundly poignant song that touches on themes of time, change, loss, and the inevitability of life's ebb and flow. This song, like much of Buarque's work, is known for its metaphoric richness and socio-political commentary, using the symbol of a wheel (the 'roda viva') to represent the relentless passage of time and the changes it brings.
In the first stanza, Buarque reflects on feelings of insignificance and powerlessness. The lines "Tem dias que a gente se sente / Como quem partiu ou morreu" ('There are days when we feel / Like someone who has departed or died') express a sense of existential crisis, of feeling lost or disconnected from the world. The desire to have an 'active voice' and control one's destiny is quashed by the relentless 'roda viva', symbolizing the inexorable march of time and the changes it brings, often against our will.
The refrain "Roda mundo, roda-gigante / Rodamoinho, roda pião / O tempo rodou num instante / Nas voltas do meu coração" ('Spin world, spin giant / Whirlwind, spin top / Time spun in an instant / In the turns of my heart') is a potent depiction of the swift passage of time, emphasizing how quickly life changes and evolves.
The song continues with the theme of resistance and futility. It talks about going against the current until we can no longer resist and how we often realize too late that we've failed to fulfill our desires or ambitions. The image of the rose bush is a symbol of beauty and potential that is swept away by the relentless roda viva, representing missed opportunities or unfulfilled dreams.
The final verses express a sense of loss and nostalgia for cultural traditions, represented by the samba, the guitar, the rose bush, all consumed by the fire of time. The singer's yearning for these lost symbols of his culture is palpable, with the line "No peito a saudade cativa / Faz força pro tempo parar" ('In the chest captive longing / Strives to stop time'), yet the roda viva continues, carrying even the longing away.
In summary, "Roda Viva" is a profound exploration of the human condition in the face of time and change. It is a lament for lost traditions and unfulfilled dreams, a reflection on the fleeting nature of life, and an acknowledgment of our inability to control the inexorable march of time. Buarque uses the metaphor of the 'roda viva' as a symbol of these unstoppable forces, creating a poignant and deeply resonant song that speaks to universal human experiences.
Explain how the song relates to the ancient and medieval theme of the "wheel of Fortune", or "rota Fortunae".
The concept of the "wheel of Fortune," or "rota Fortunae," has its roots in ancient philosophy and was widely popular in medieval times. It's a symbol of the capricious nature of Fate: the wheel belongs to the goddess Fortuna who spins it at random, changing the positions of those on the wheel - some suffer great misfortune, others gain windfalls. This concept captures the unpredictable nature of life and the cyclical pattern of rise and fall in fortune.
Chico Buarque's "Roda Viva" is very much in line with this ancient and medieval theme. In the song, the "roda viva" or "living wheel" serves as a metaphor for the wheel of fortune. Just as the wheel of Fortune spins, raising some and dashing others, the "roda viva" in Buarque's song represents the inevitable and often unpredictable changes brought by the passage of time.
Throughout the song, the protagonist struggles with the changes imposed by the "roda viva". They seek to have an active voice, to control their destiny, to resist the current, to preserve their culture and traditions. However, just as the wheel of Fortune is indifferent to the desires and efforts of those it affects, the "roda viva" continues its relentless spin, carrying away the protagonist's ambitions, dreams, and even their nostalgia.
Moreover, the song also encapsulates the idea of the cyclical nature of fortune. There's a sense of repetition and inevitability in the refrain, mirroring the ceaseless spinning of the wheel of Fortune. There's also a hint of the rise and fall pattern in the lines about going against the current and then feeling the regret of unfulfilled aspirations, reflecting the highs and lows experienced as the wheel of Fortune spins.
In essence, "Roda Viva" uses the metaphor of the "roda viva" or "living wheel" to embody the same themes that underpin the ancient and medieval concept of the wheel of Fortune, exploring ideas of change, fate, and the unpredictability and cyclical nature of life.
Note: “spin giant” is inaccurate. Although “roda” is clearly a verb meaning “spin” in “roda mundo” and “roda pião”, “roda-gigante” is a single noun that translates literally to “giant wheel” and refers to a Ferris wheel.
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