João E Maria Lyrics in English Chico Buarque , Nara Leão
Faz-de-conta literally translates to "make-believe" or "pretend". It's a charming and evocative compound word that perfectly captures the childlike innocence and fantasy central to the song's narrative.
In "João E Maria", Chico Buarque uses this word to describe the imaginary world created by the two characters, where they are heroes, kings, and princesses. The line "Agora era fatal que o faz-de-conta terminasse assim" (Now it was fatal that the make-believe would end like this) highlights the bittersweet transition from childhood fantasy to the harsh realities of adulthood, making it a poignant and memorable word.
Chico Buarque's "João E Maria" takes us on a journey back to the magical world of childhood make-believe. The singer remembers a time when he and his playmate created their own reality in the backyard. He was a hero whose horse só falava inglês (only spoke English), a king who made a law that everyone was obrigado a ser feliz (obligated to be happy), and she was the beautiful princess he crowned. It was a time of pure innocence, a time before they knew of maldade (wickedness), when they weren't afraid of anything.
But this world of make-believe was destined to end. The song's mood shifts from joyful nostalgia to a deep sense of loss. The singer reveals that his childhood friend sumiu no mundo (disappeared into the world) without a word. The safe, imaginative "backyard" is replaced by an noite que não tem mais fim (endless night). He is left alone, feeling like a madman, asking the heartbreaking question: O que é que a vida vai fazer de mim? (What is life going to do with me?).
