Frases by Jorge Ben

The first version of this song that I heard was by Caetano Veloso, and it was called "Olha O Menino" (the song's refrain), which makes a lot more sense than "Frases". But I believe the Jorge Ben version came first, and I'm not sure why Caetano would've changed the title. I'm also not sure what this song is really about. But I really love its rhythm, especially how it transitions from the intro (which isn't part of Caetano's version), and I think Ben's voice sounds particularly warm and soothing on this track.

My favorite lines of the song are the 3rd and 4th lines, "You know the rose is a flower...and the kid is a nobody," and the 7th and 8th, "For six thousand years man...making flowers and stars." The first two I like for their rhythm, and the way that "ninguem" (nobody) comes back to rhyme with "também" (too, also). The second two I enjoy more for the sentiment, as it often feels like we humans have a knack for missing how incredible life already is without us doing anything to it, and in the process create more stress and problems for ourselves. I also like the way Ben mixes us up the rhythm of the two lines, taking a slight pause at different points of each line.

Phrases

I just want God to help me
And even more so the kid
You know the rose is a flower
The flower is a rose and the kid is a nobody.

Look at the kid, oh
Look at the kid, oh oh oh

For six thousand years man has lived happily making wars and bullshit
For six thousand years God has wasted time making flowers and stars

Look at the kid, oh
Look at the kid, oh oh oh

I'm a sincere man
Because I was born, grew up and live free
I'm a sincere man
Who wants to die, be born and live free [1]

Frases

Eu só quero que Deus me ajude
O menino muito mais também
Pois a rosa é uma flor
A flor é uma rosa o menino não é ninguém

olha o menino ui
olha o menino ui ui ui

Há seis mil anos o homem vive feliz fazendo guerras e asneiras
Há seis mil anos Deus perde tempo fazendo flores e estrelas

olha o menino ui
olha o menino ui ui ui

Eu sou um homem sincero
Porque nasci e cresci e vivo livre
Eu sou um homem sincero
Que quero morrer nascer e viver livre

Notes

1. I don't know why Ben put death before birth and life in this line. The rhyme would have worked just as well if death came last.