NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – Foi Na Cruz (1990)

Nick Cave’s song “Foi na cruz” appears on The Good Son, his 1990 album with the Bad Seeds. The title, which translates from Portuguese as “It Was On The Cross,” reflects the song’s deep spiritual undertones and religious imagery, themes often present in Cave’s work. The phrase is borrowed from a Brazilian evangelical hymn, popular in Pentecostal churches, where it expresses gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Nick Cave wrote “Foi na cruz” during a period when he was living in Brazil and immersed in its culture. At the time, he was in a relationship with Viviane Carneiro, a Brazilian journalist, and this connection influenced his work significantly. Cave has spoken about the spiritual and emotional impact of his time in Brazil, and incorporating Portuguese lyrics into “Foi na cruz” was a way of reflecting that cultural environment.

The choice of language also adds a layer of authenticity and universality to the song, tying the Christian imagery to a global context and resonating with Brazil’s deeply religious culture. The haunting use of Portuguese evokes both a sense of devotion and a distant, almost mystical atmosphere.

Foi na cruz, foi na cruz Que um dia Meus pecados castigados em Jesus Foi na cruz Que um dia Foi na cruz

Love comes a-knocking Comes a-knocking upon our door But you, you and me, love We don’t live here any more

Foi na cruz, foi na cruz Que um dia Meus pecados castigados em Jesus Foi na cruz Que um dia Foi na cruz

A little sleep, a little slumber A little folding of the hands to sleep A little love, a little hate, babe A little trickery and deceit

Foi na cruz, foi na cruz Que um dia Meus pecados castigados em Jesus Foi na cruz Que um dia Foi na cruz

Dream on ’till you can dream no more For all our grand plans, babe Will be dreams forever more

Foi na cruz, foi na cruz Que um dia Meus pecados castigados em Jesus Foi na cruz Que um dia Foi na cruz