Fábrica Lyrics in English Legião Urbana
Fábrica translates to "factory". While seemingly simple, it's a powerful and evocative word that serves as the title and central metaphor of this iconic Brazilian rock song.
In the context of the song, the factory represents not just a place of labor, but a symbol of industrialization, social inequality, and the dehumanizing aspects of work. The lyrics question "Quem guarda os portões da fábrica?" (Who guards the factory gates?), highlighting themes of control, oppression, and the struggle for justice and honest work. It's a word that immediately sets a tone of social commentary and introspection.
Legião Urbana's "Fábrica" is a powerful anthem of protest that speaks for the working class. The lyrics paint a picture of a bleak, polluted world where the sky is gray and the green is gone. The singer describes a life that feels like "escravidão" (slavery) and makes a simple, powerful demand: "Quero justiça / Quero trabalhar em paz" (I want justice / I want to work in peace).
The song builds on this frustration, asking who is responsible for this system. The central question, "Quem guarda os portões da fábrica?" (Who guards the factory gates?), points to the faceless powers that enforce this oppressive reality. Despite the exhaustion and the feeling that their demands are seen as "Nada demais" (No big deal), there's a defiant spirit. The song ends with a challenge: after being pushed so far, the singer declares, "Que venha o fogo então" (Let the fire come then), a cry of desperation that is also a call for radical change.
