As Traves

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with a profound internal shift, marked by a sense of disillusionment and self-perception. The opening verses repeatedly pose the question, "Quem diria que um dia era eu?" (Who would have thought one day it would be me?), suggesting a stark contrast between a past self and the present reality. This present self is described with loaded terms like "bruto proveta" (brute test tube) and "profeta do breu" (prophet of darkness), implying a harsh, perhaps cynical, or even destructive nature that feels alien to the narrator. This internal conflict intensifies as the narrator shifts from describing a "brute test tube" to a "saint on a diet" and an "ascetic without salt." These juxtapositions highlight a struggle between perceived flaws and attempts at purification or self-denial, none of which seem to bring peace. The "verb that infects" and "vulgate of a defendant" further suggest a corrupting influence or a self-incriminating narrative that the narrator is caught within, questioning their own moral standing. The bridge offers a powerful visual metaphor for this internal struggle: "Tenho a vista cansada de tanto apontar para longe de mim / E as traves nos olhos já dão de si" (My sight is tired from pointing so far from myself / And the beams in my eyes are already giving way). This imagery suggests a long-standing avoidance of self-confrontation, leading to a distorted perception that is now failing. The consequence is a loss of awareness: "Agora eu não dou conta de nada" (Now I don't realize anything). The final verse reiterates this sense of being lost and perhaps compromised, with phrases like "atraso p'rá meta" (delay for the goal) and "agenda secreta" (secret agenda). The narrator feels they have missed their mark and are operating under hidden, possibly unethical, motives ("escrita venal" - venal writing). The repeated question underscores the profound bewilderment at this transformation, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved internal turmoil and a stark portrayal of self-estrangement.