Elba Ramalho was born in the rural area of Conceição, in Vale do Piancó. In 1962, the family moved to the city of Campina Grande, also in Paraíba. Her father became the owner of the local theater. Daughter of a musician, she became interested in music still as a teenager.
In 1966, she participated, for the first time, in a performance on stage, in the Choir of the Fundação Artística e Cultural Manuel Bandeira, of which she was a member, with "Evocação do Recife". The Manuel Bandeira and Cecília Meireles Talking Choirs gained fame and started to be seen all over the Northeast, and Elba, who made her first presentation on stage together with them, soon became the highlight in the presentations. She starred in the poetic montages of Castro Alves, Thiago de Mello, Lindolfo Bell, Carlos Pena Filho and Figueiredo Agra. He participated in the montages of the plays "Ministro do Supremo" and "Diálogo das Carmelitas."
In 1968, while attending college of Economics and Sociology at the Federal University of Paraíba, she formed the ensemble As Brasas, in which she acted as drummer, which later became a theater group. However, Elba never stopped singing, and performed in several festivals throughout the Northeast.
In 1979, she released her first album, "Ave de Prata", and since then she has consolidated her position as one of the main Brazilian singers in activity. On her father's side, she is a cousin of fellow singer Zé Ramalho.
She has two Latin Grammys for her albums: Qual o Assunto Que Mais Lhe importa?, released in 2008, and Balaio de Amor, 2009, in the category Best Brazilian Roots Album: Regional and Tropical. In over 35 years of career, Elba Ramalho has sold more than 10 million albums. She received from the Art Critics Association of São Paulo the award "Best Show of the Year" on two occasions: in 1989 for the show Popular Brasileira and in 1996 for the show Leão do Norte.
Canta Coração
Geraldo Azevedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Canta, canta passarinho, canta, canta miudinho |
A7 D D4 D |
Na palma da minha mão |
D/C G B7 Em |refrão
Quero ver você voando, quero ouvir você cantando |
A7 D D4 D |
Quero paz no coração |
D/C G B7 Em |
Quero ver você voando, quero ouvir você cantando |
A7 D D4 D
Na palma da minha mão
D/C G D/F# C
Na palma da minha mão tem os dedos tem as linhas
E7/B Am C7/G F C
Que olhar cigano caminha procurando alcançar
D D/C G/Bb
O anau perdido, o trem que chega, a nova dança
A7 D A7 D D/C
Mata verde esperança, em suas tranças vou voar
G D/F# Em A7 D D4 D
Passarin... in... nho eu vou voar
(repete refrão)
A7 D D4 D
Quero paz no coração
D/C G D/F# C
Meu alegre coração é triste como um camelo
E7/B Am C7/G F C
É frágil que nem brinquedo, é forte como um leão
D D/C G/Bb
É todo zelo, é todo amor, é desmantelo
A7 D A7 D D/C
É querubim, é cão de fogo, é Jesus Cristo, é Lampião
G D/F# Em A7 D D4 D D/C
Passarin... in... nho eu vou voar
G B7 Em A7 D D4 D D/C
Passarin... in... nho eu vou voar
G D/F# Em A7 D D4 D D/C
Passarin... in... nho eu vou voar
The lyrics of Geraldo Azevedo's song Canta Coração (Sing, Heart) convey a sense of a desire for inner peace through the metaphor of a bird singing in the palm of one's hand. The singer encourages the bird to fly and sing, as if seeking a release from the burdens and worries that weigh down their heart. The first verse repeats this message with slightly different phrasing as if to emphasize the need for hope and joy in our lives. The second verse introduces a second metaphor, that of a gypsy searching through the lines on a palm in order to find something, implying that the search for meaning and purpose is also a difficult but necessary journey. The singer draws inspiration from this sense of adventure and determination in order to take flight, like the bird, away from earthly troubles.
The chorus repeats the same melody and lyrics, emphasizing the importance of having a peaceful heart, the ultimate goal of the singer's journey. The lyrics are simple yet effective at conveying a message of hope and perseverance through struggle, relying on imagery of nature and mysticism to frame their message.
Line by Line Meaning
Canta, canta passarinho, canta, canta miudinho
Sing, sing little bird, sing softly and gently
Na palma da minha mão
In the palm of my hand
Quero ver você voando, quero ouvir você cantando
I want to see you flying, I want to hear you singing
Quero paz no coração
I want peace in my heart
Na palma da minha mão tem os dedos tem as linhas
In the palm of my hand, there are fingers and lines
Que olhar cigano caminha procurando alcançar
A gypsy's gaze roams, seeking to achieve
O anau perdido, o trem que chega, a nova dança
The lost ring, the arriving train, the new dance
Mata verde esperança, em suas tranças vou voar
Green forest of hope, in your braids I shall fly
Passarin... in... nho eu vou voar
Little bird, I will fly
Meu alegre coração é triste como um camelo
My happy heart is sad like a camel
É frágil que nem brinquedo, é forte como um leão
It is fragile like a toy, but strong as a lion
É todo zelo, é todo amor, é desmantelo
It is all care, all love, and all craziness
É querubim, é cão de fogo, é Jesus Cristo, é Lampião
It is an angel, a fiery dog, Jesus Christ, and Lampião
Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.