“Here, listen to this” my older sister urged me when I was in high school, “It’s music unlike anything I’ve ever heard,” as she played the song “Magalenha” from Brasilian artist Sérgio Mendes’ 1992 album Brasileiro. It was unlike anything I’d ever heard, as well.
The instrumentation, harmonizing of background vocalists, and chanting from the main singer was mesmerizing to me. That was the first Brasilian album I ever purchased, and thanks to my sister who tolerated me barrowing her cassette tape until I eventually bought my own.
A year later, in 1993, the film Only the Strong came out and featured the story of a United States (U.S.) soldier returning from military service in Brasil. Regarding this matter, I described my fondness for Brasilian music in a blogpost entitled Only the Strong.
Then, in 1999, I received orders to guard the U.S. consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil when serving as a Marine. While there, a number of Brasilians bestowed upon me the title of an honorary carioca—native of Rio.
Since then, I’ve told many people of my love for Brasil. Memories from the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City, to which Rio is sometimes referred) will likely continue serving as one of the most joyous, pleasurable, and memorable experiences of my life.
Familiarity with that source of joy began with hearing Mendes’ “Magalenha.” Lyrics of the song include, “Hoje é um dia de sol/ Alegria de coió É curtir o verão,” which reportedly translate to, “Today’s a sunny day/ The joy of the fool is living the summer to the fullest.”
Although I was deemed an honorary carioca, I no longer speak Portuguese, so I rely on a translation from other sources. In any case, it’s been many years since I listened to “Magalenha” and enjoyed memories associated with the tune.
That is until today when I learned that Mendes reportedly died recently. As I listen to the song on repeat while writing this post, there’s no sorrow about the fact that the world no longer houses the man who introduced me to Brasilian culture. There’s no fear about my inevitable death either.
Rather, I maintain gratitude and contentment. I have gratitude, because my life was enriched through Mendes’ music. I’m also grateful that my older sister introduced me to Brasileiro. As well, I’m grateful for having met actual Brasileiros. And I’m grateful for Mendes who was a credit to Brasil.
I’m content in knowing that just as Mendes once was and now isn’t, so, too, will be my future condition. All things shall pass – good, bad, joyful, sorrowful, pleasing, displeasing, and otherwise. I’m at peace with reminders of this inescapable truth, such as the case of Mendes’ death.
To alternatively self-disturb about the fact that all things shall pass, regarding how all living creatures will inevitably die, would make as much sense as plugging fingers in my ears and saying loudly, “La la la la-a la,” or as is sung in “Magalenha,” “Te te te te-e te!”
With this relatively short blogpost, I submit for your consideration that you can be grateful and content in life, and despite death. Today, as I type this entry, it’s a sunny day. Although the joy of a fool may relate to living the summer to the fullest, as fall is nigh, I unconditionally accept transitions in life – all the way through death.
May you, too, practice this form of acceptance without unnecessary conditions. If you choose otherwise, you may as well plug fingers in your ears and say loudly, “Te te te te-e te,” because that’ll serve you about as much as maintenance of a rigid form of acceptance.
Descanse em paz, Sérgio Mendes.
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References:
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Singer, B. (2024, September 7). Sergio Mendes, 83, dies; brought Brazilian rhythms to the pop charts. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/06/arts/music/sergio-mendes-dead.html
V.A.R.T. (2006, December 4). Sergio Mendes - Magalenha (video original) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/uoblz9g13NA?si=BTspHjTnziIKj1AP
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Brasileiro. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasileiro
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Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sérgio Mendes. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9rgio_Mendes
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