Correnteza
Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics

The lyrics to Antônio Carlos Jobim's song Correnteza depict a jilted lover watching a flower being carried away by the flowing river as they reflect on their lost love. The opening line, "A correnteza do rio vai levando aquela flor" (The current of the river is carrying away that flower), sets the scene as the singer's beloved has fallen asleep, seemingly indifferent to the singer's love. The second verse describes the ripe fruit of an Inga tree being swept away by the river's current, emphasizing the inevitable nature of loss and change. The chorus repeats the imagery of a week of rain leading to the river's banks being marked by passing cattle, leading to the joyful moment when the singer's lover returns after the storm.

The song's wistful tone is highlighted by Jobim's signature bossa nova style, combining samba and jazz elements to create a unique sound that became synonymous with Brazilian music in the 1960s. The lyrics further enhance the melancholic mood of the song, using natural imagery to convey the sense of passing time and inevitability. The repetition of the phrase "Zombando do meu amor" (Mocking my love) emphasizes the singer's sense of being ignored and uncared for, while the dream-like quality of the final verse suggests a bittersweet longing for what could have been.