DOMELGABOR: "A MORTE DEVAGAR” a poem turned into a song with soft Brazilian Bossa Nova vibes.

"A MORTE DEVAGAR" by @domelgabor

DOMELGABOR: "A MORTE DEVAGAR” a poem turned into a song with soft Brazilian Bossa Nova vibes.

"A MORTE DEVAGAR” is a poem by Martha Medeiros that I turned into a song with soft Brazilian Bossa Nova vibes.

Literally meaning "A Slow Death", it was first published on November 1st, 2000, in the newspaper Zero Hora. The internet mistakenly attributed it to Pablo Neruda. Yet Martha Medeiros later worked with the Neruda Foundation to correct the authorship record.

A friend of mine on Facebook sent me the poem in French, and I thanked her for introducing me to it. The French version was great, but translation is very subjective as it depends on the translator's interpretation and perspective.

So I wanted to find it in Portuguese, Martha Medeiros's native tongue, so I could do my own English translation, and I searched online for it. While doing so, I realized the text she sent me was a shortened version of the original.

I found the Portuguese version that corresponds to the French version she sent me and decided to use it. I translated it partly with Google and partly in my own words, which explains the differences and variations in wording and meaning you may find in my translation compared to the original Portuguese text and other translations available online.

It seems everyone made their own translation; for example, “A MORTE DEVAGAR’ translates to “A SLOW DEATH,” yet some people translate it as “You start dying slowly,” “It’s a slow death,” “Slowly dies,” or “Dies slowly.” Personally, for this song, I translated it as “He dies slowly.”

However, no matter how you translate it, the message remains the same: a person dies a slow death when they become a complete slave to habit, shun passion, avoid turbulent emotions, and always choose safety over uncertainty, which keeps people from truly feeling alive. True life requires taking risks and chasing dreams rather than accepting an unhappy job or life.

It is a powerful wake-up call urging people not to settle for mere survival but to embrace life with passion and curiosity.

The version of the poem I used: "A MORTE DEVAGAR" (Original text in Portuguese)

Morre lentamente

quem se transforma em escravo do hábito,

repetindo todos os dias os mesmos trajectos, quem não muda de marca

Não se arrisca a vestir uma nova cor ou não conversa com quem não conhece.

Morre lentamente

quem faz da televisão o seu guru.

Morre lentamente

quem evita uma paixão,

quem prefere o negro sobre o branco

e os pontos sobre os "is" em detrimento de um redemoinho de emoções,

justamente as que resgatam o brilho dos olhos,

sorrisos dos bocejos,

corações aos tropeços e sentimentos.

Morre lentamente

quem não vira a mesa quando está infeliz com o seu trabalho,

quem não arrisca o certo pelo incerto para ir atrás de um sonho,

quem não se permite pelo menos uma vez na vida,

fugir dos conselhos sensatos.

Morre lentamente

quem não viaja,

quem não lê,

quem não ouve música,

quem não encontra graça em si mesmo.

Morre lentamente

quem destrói o seu amor-próprio,

quem não se deixa ajudar.

Morre lentamente,

quem passa os dias queixando-se da sua má sorte

ou da chuva incessante.

Morre lentamente,

quem abandona um projecto antes de iniciá-lo,

não pergunta sobre um assunto que desconhece

ou não responde quando lhe indagam sobre algo que sabe.

Evitemos a morte em doses suaves,

recordando sempre que estar vivo exige um esforço muito maior que o simples fato de respirar.

Somente a perseverança fará com que conquistemos um estágio esplêndido de felicidade.

Martha Medeiros

The lyrics of the song based on my own translation and my own words:

"A MORTE DEVAGAR" by @domelgabor

Here is a poem, an inspiring ode to life

A guide to lift us through our daily strife

With deep emotion and living passion

From Martha Medeiros, a profound reflection

He dies slowly

Who becomes a slave to habit

Repeating the same daily routines

Who never changes brands

Who never risks wearing a new color

Or speaking to a stranger

He dies slowly

Who makes the television his guru

He dies slowly

Who avoids passion

Who prefers black over white

And attention to detail over the whirlwind of emotions

Precisely those that restore the sparkle to one's eyes

That turn yawns into smiles

And that make the heart race, and true feelings bloom

He dies slowly

Who does not change course when unhappy in his job

Who does not trade the certain for the uncertain to chase a dream

Who does not allow himself, at least once in his life

To ignore sensible advice

He dies slowly

Who does not travel

Who does not read

Who does not listen to music

Who finds no joy in himself

He dies slowly

Who destroys his self-esteem

Who refuses help

He dies slowly

Who spends his days complaining about bad luck

Or the incessant rain

He dies slowly

Who abandons a project before even starting it

Who does not ask about a subject he knows nothing about

Or does not answer when asked about things he knows

Let us avoid dying in small doses

Always remembering that being alive requires

A far greater effort than the simple act of breathing

Only perseverance will allow us to attain

A splendid state of happiness

Obrigado

Martha Medeiros

Por este poema

Em nome de todos nós

Title: "A MORTE DEVAGAR"

Lyrics: Dominique B. S. Noel (a.k.a Domelgabor)

Based on Martha Medeiros Poem

Music & Voice: AI-generated

Where to listen to "A MORTE DEVAGAR"?

"A MORTE DEVAGAR" by @domelgabor is now available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, and soon on most music platforms.

YouTube: Listen here

Spotify: Listen here

Apple Music: Listen here

Hope you enjoy the song I made from it. Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

If you like poems turned into songs and songwriter-style songs, you should also check my songs "HOW BEAUTIFUL (A POEM SONG)": a poem I wrote and turned into a song, and "SUNSET": a songwriter-style song also with Brazilian Bossa Nova vibes.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and for listening to my songs and tracks. It means the world to me.

Peace!

Dom

@domelgabor #domelgabor @domelgabor_music #domelgabor_music #amortedevagar #poem #bossanova Brazil, Brazilian Vibes, Bossa Nova, Poem, Song, New release

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