Manifesto do Azulejo [English translation]

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!