A new version of the peacefully jingoist Brazilian national anthem has been circulating
on the Internet in recent weeks. While other national anthems like the American or the
French sing about bloody war and revenge, the Brazilian official song praises the
country's natural wealth and its serene skies. The new anthem, though, is a potpourri of
well-known brand names from Grendene—a national footwear manufacturer—to
multinational Coca-Cola.
The hilarious ad-like parody soon spread throughout the Internet as if it were one more of those anonymous little jewels that often arrive in our e-mail. Among those who received a copy was Adriano Siri, one of the members of the acting sextet Os Melhores do Mundo (The World's Best), a theatrical troupe from Brasília, Brazil's capital. He was particularly annoyed by the fact that that the text's authorship was attributed to an anonymous adman. After all, Siri, together with his group, created the parody anthem as the surprise finale for the show Política (Politics). The spectacle, which was presented February in Brasília, was seen by more than 10,000 people in the Federal District.
The show also makes fun of another national symbol: the Brazilian flag. On a flag used in the show, the words Ordem e Progresso (Order and Progress) were rewritten to "Advertise Here". The idea is to denounce the privatization of state companies, the invasion of multinationals and the Americanization of the country.
Just before the anthem is sung, an off-stage voice announces that the President will be talking on a national TV and radio pool. Then he comes onstage and tells the nation that some private investors have decided to get together to pay the national debt. In return, the president has authorized the national anthem to be rewritten. The audience is invited to stand while onstage the actors perform the new anthem.
A 1971 Brazilian law requires that the national anthem be performed only in a respectful and patriotic manner. Law number 5700 was passed by the military government of general Emilio Garrastazu Medici and is still in force, but it is not expected that Os Melhores do Mundo will be prosecuted for their disrespectful use of the piece.
Now, the group is in Rio performing the show Misticismo (Mysticism), Tormentas da Paixão (Passion's Storms) and Escrava Isaura, a Comédia (Slave Isaura, the Comedy). The theatrical group is planning to present Política again in January, in Rio. They hope by then few people will be talking about the anthem lyrics so that the surprise of the show's finale can be restored.
The Lyrics
Amil um sonho intenso, |
On the placid banks of an Ipiranga gas station From a heroic Volvo resounding Brahma Skol of Liberty in glittery Rider Shone in the Shell of Fatherland this moment If the Knorr of this equality We were able to conquer with arm Ford In your Seiko, o Freedom Defies our breast Microsoft O Parmalat, Mastercard, Sharp, Sharp Amil an intense dream, |
