O homem velho [English translation]

The old man leaves life and death behind

Head plumb, he follows the course and never, never more

The large mirror that is the world would dare reflect his signs

The old man is the king of the animals

The loneliness is now solid, a stone in the sun

The lines of destiny in the hands the hand extinguished

He already has his soul saturated with poetry, soul, and rock'n'roll

The things migrate and he serves as a lighthouse

The flesh, the art blazes, the evening falls

In the chasm1 of the corners

The light breeze brings the shimmering2 smell

Of the sex of the girls

Cold light, his hairs have the sadness of neon

Beauties, pains and joys pass without a sound

I see the old man laughing on a curve of the road of Hebron3

And upon his gaze everything that is color changes its tone

The children, movies, sayings, books like a wind gale

Disperse him beyond the illusion of his personal being

But he hurts and shines alone, individual, wonder without equal

Now he has the courage to know that he is immortal

1. also abyss2. fulgaz from fulgor3. Palestinian city

• Artist:Caetano Veloso
• Album:Velô (1984)