MILTON NASCIMENTO – Nuvem Cigana

Milton Nascimento is one of Brazil’s most influential and beloved singers, songwriters, and composers. His voice is often described as otherworldly — a soaring tenor that can move seamlessly between powerful cries and delicate falsetto, carrying an emotional intensity that has captivated listeners worldwide. Nascimento became widely known in the late 1960s and early 1970s, especially through his work on the seminal album Clube da Esquina (1972), created with Lô Borges and a collective of musicians from Minas Gerais. That record, blending Brazilian popular music (MPB) with rock, jazz, classical, and Andean folk influences, is considered one of the greatest in Brazilian music history.

Across his long career, he has collaborated with Brazilian icons like Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, and international artists such as Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Paul Simon. His songs often carry themes of love, friendship, spirituality, political resistance, and a deep connection to Brazil’s land and people.

Some of his most celebrated works include Travessia (1967), Milagre dos Peixes (1973), Minas (1975), Geraes (1976), and later albums like Nascimento (1997), which won him a Grammy Award. Milton Nascimento and Esperanza Spalding crossed musical paths in a way that beautifully reflects the openness of both artists. He retired from touring in 2022, closing a remarkable six-decade career, but his legacy continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

The song “Nuvem Cigana” was written by Lô Borges and Ronaldo Bastos. It translates as “Gypsy Cloud”. It first appeared on Clube da Esquina 2 (1978), the double album that followed the landmark Clube da Esquina (1972). Milton Nascimento recorded it with his unmistakable voice, and the song has since become one of the memorable pieces from that period of the Clube da Esquina collective.

NUVEM CIGANA

Se você quiser, eu danço com você No pó da estrada, pó, poeira, ventania Se você soltar o pé na estrada, pó, poeira Eu danço com você o que você dançar

Se você deixar o sol bater nos seus cabelos verdes Sol, sereno, ouro e prata, sai e vem comigo Sol, semente, madrugada Eu vivo em qualquer parte de seu coração

Se você deixar o coração bater sem medo Se você deixar o coração bater sem medo Se você deixar o coração bater sem medo

Se você quiser, eu danço com você Meu nome é nuvem, pó, poeira, movimento O meu nome é nuvem, ventania, flor de vento Eu danço com você o que você dançar

Se você deixar o coração bater sem medo Se você deixar o coração bater sem medo Se você deixar o coração bater sem medo

Se você deixar o coração Se você deixar o coração bater…

GYPSY CLOUD

If you want, I’ll dance with you In the dust of the road, dust, sand, gust of wind If you set your feet free on the road, dust, sand I’ll dance with you whatever you dance

If you let the sun shine on your green hair Sun, serene, gold and silver — come with me Sun, seed, daybreak I live in any corner of your heart

If you let your heart beat fearlessly If you let your heart beat fearlessly If you let your heart beat fearlessly

If you want, I’ll dance with you My name is cloud, dust, sand, movement My name is cloud, gust of wind, flower of the wind I’ll dance with you whatever you dance

If you let your heart beat fearlessly If you let your heart beat fearlessly If you let your heart beat fearlessly

If you let your heart If you let your heart beat…