Without asphalt and with orchards1
Heat islands would be better off having trees
Than churning out money, turning into muggings
Commit murder, get a spot on TV
What was once theft becomes a jackpot in the lottery
Megalomaniacal
Teach and tip off that it's time to cause drama
Make it turn into fuel
That powers the invisible vehicle
That runs over everything and everyone
With all their own emblems and logos
Brands leave the biggest mark
One step forward
Two steps back
I don't step on you
Or on our ancestors
Chill, chill out
Relax your spirit, body, and soul
I want economic and environmental homeostasis too
I want financial and emotional stability too
I live attentive and I attempt
To not cause destruction
I don't have time
For obvious endings
I am what I am
I am what I am
Because of what we are
[x3]
Break the tile2
Let the earth in
Break, break the tile
Let the earth in
[repeat]
(While the world spins on and they throw down more cement...
Get your arguments ready, right)
Perceptive people don't pick up on things anymore
Open up the doors, your minds, and the portals
And even though I know it doesn't matter to you
Empty lots can be turned into gardens
How many days can you take
Going without food or water?
Without soy, without grief, without toxic pollution?
Look at her go,
Look at her coming up3
Sooner or later Maceió will fall4
And turn into a Braskem condo5
A new Dubai
That'll end up sinking too
Next comes Rio de Janeiro
Becoming a new Jerusalem
And the people will live at the margins of the dams
Hoping that the sirens will sound
I am what I am
I am what I am
For the sake of what we are6
[x2]
Break the tile
Let the earth in
Break, break the tile
Let the earth come in
[x3]
I am what I am
I am what I am
Because of what we are
[x2]
Break the tile
Let the earth in
Break, break the tile
Let the earth come in
[x3]
1. You can also read this as "No to asphalt and yes to orchards".2. Azulejo is a specific type of ceramic tile particular to Iberoamerica and Latin America; it's ornamental white tile with deep blue designs on it. It's very pretty, honestly. Look up a picture of it!3. "Vem", translated here as "coming up", literally just means "come". In Portuguese it is also used not just to refer to movement specifically, but as a general 'state of being' verb. "Olha como ela vem" can also mean something like "Take a look at her" with the implication that there is something different/interesting about the 'her' in question.4. Maceió is the capital of the Brazilian state of Alagoas. I don't know too much about it personally, but it is a popular tourist destination and the largest municipality in Alagoas.5. Braskem is a Brazilian petrochemical company (producing thing like plastic products, paint, fertilizers, etc.)6. I got myself bamboozled over this simple little sentence and now I'm not quite sure if it's saying "because of what we are" or "for [the sake of] what we are". If a native speaker could help me out I would greatly appreciate it!