A Banda is Chico Buarque's vibrant tribute to the transformative magic of a marching band. In the song, the sudden arrival of the cheerful parade pulls everyone, from the stern banker and boastful lamplighter to the shy girl at her window, out of their daily routines. For a shining moment the whole town moves to the same rhythm; smiles bloom, roses open, and even the weary old man feels young enough to dance.
Yet the chorus carries a gentle warning: when the last note fades, ordinary life slips back into place and each person is left 'in their corner' with their own troubles. Chico's lyrics celebrate how music can unite and heal, while also reminding us that joy can be fleeting. The song invites listeners to savor every instant when melody conquers melancholy and to keep that sparkle alive after the band has passed.