Luz do sol
Que a folha traga e traduz
Em verde novo
Em folha, em graça, em vida, em força, em luz

Céu azul que vem
Até onde os pés tocam a terra
E a terra inspira e exala seus azuis

Reza, reza o rio
Córrego pro rio e o rio pro mar
Reza a correnteza, roça a beira, doura a areia
Marcha o homem sobre o chão
Leva no coração uma ferida acesa
Dono do sim e do não
Diante da visão da infinita beleza
Finda por ferir com a mão essa delicadeza
A coisa mais querida, a glória da vida

Luz do sol
Que a folha traga e traduz
Em verde novo
Em folha, em graça, em vida, em força, em luz

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Caetano Veloso's classic song 'Luz Do Sol' paints a beautiful picture of the life around us as it draws its strength and grace from the radiant sun. The singer marvels at the way the sun breathes new life into the leaves of the trees, ushering in a fresh season of greenery and vitality that is both delicate and invigorating. The sky is no less breathtaking, its vast expanse of blue seamlessly blending into the earth below and infusing it with all its myriad shades of azure. Together, the sun, the leaves, the sky, and the earth create a stunning tapestry of color and light that is pure magic.

As the song progresses, the singer turns his attention to the river, which flows and winds its way through the world, carrying with it all the blessings and sorrows of life. The river is a source of great power and beauty, its current pulling and pushing in equal measure as it dances along its course. Yet the river is also a reminder of the fragility of life and the way that we, as humans, are prone to do harm even to the things we hold most dear. It is this sense of quiet sorrow that permeates the song, reminding us that while the beauty of life is all around us, so too are its challenges and heartaches.

Line by Line Meaning

Luz do sol
The light of the sun

Que a folha traga e traduz
That the leaf brings and translates

Em verde novo
Into new green

Em folha, em graça, em vida, em força, em luz
Into leaf, grace, life, strength, and light

Céu azul que vem
Blue sky that comes

Até onde os pés tocam a terra
Until where the feet touch the ground

E a terra inspira e exala seus azuis
And the earth inspires and exhales its blues

Reza, reza o rio
Pray, pray the river

Córrego pro rio e o rio pro mar
Stream to river and river to sea

Reza a correnteza, roça a beira, doura a areia
The current prays, brushes the edge, gilds the sand

Marcha o homem sobre o chão
The man walks on the ground