Re: Angel Eyes

Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 18:54:00 -0600
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote
Size: 2,210 bytes

"Da Parrot-chick" <email-address-deleted> wrote:
> This is not my impression, Marc. While I haven't been to Brazil (and
I
> think that applies to both of us), Brasilerios are known for their
love of
> life.
Well, I wasn't reporting my personal view of Brazilians - just my
reading of Moraes' lyric :-)
> I have the lyrical translation of that song, and while they aren't
> the usual happy-happy lyrics of American pop ("Sunny Side of the
Street" or
> "I Got The World On A String", etc.), to me they give a more ancient
> definition of happiness as being the absence of suffering.
Hmmm. I can see how different translations of the lyrics might appear
to make a song appear lighter or darker, but it also is possible we are
talking entirely different lyrics - most of the more well known English
lyrics to Brazilian tunes are *not* translations of the Portuguese but
entirely new lyrics. So, for the record, and for those wondering what
we are talking about, I am including a translation of "A Felicidade" I
found online. Now, I admit that it gets more optimistic toward the end,
but the sentiment of the first two stanzas - the first two lines, even -
establishes what I meant about it not being a particularly happy lyric.
A Felicidade (Happiness)
Vinicius de Moraes (music by Antonio Carlos Jobim)
Sadness has no end
happiness does
Happiness is like a feather
that the wind lifts through the air
It flies so lightly
but has a brief life
It needs for there to be endless wind
The happiness of the poor is like
the grand illusion of Carnaval
People work the entire year
for one moment of a dream
in order to have a fantasy of
a king or a pirate or gardener
and all is ended on Ash Wednesday
Happiness is like a drop
of dew on a flower petal
It shines quietly then swings lightly
and falls like a tear of love
My happiness is dreaming
in the eyes of my girlfriend
It is like that night that passed by
in search of the dawn
Speak quietly please
in order that she wakes happy like the day
offering kisses of love
Happiness is a crazy thing
and also so delicate
It has flowers and love of all colors
It has bird nests
It has everything nice
But because she is like this, so delicate
I always treat her very well