Drinking Water
Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics
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I need your love or I will die
My very life is in your power
Will I wither and fade or bloom to the sky
Água de beber
Give the flower water to drink
Água de beber
Give the flower water to drink
The rain can fall on distant deserts
The rain can fall upon the sea
The rain can fall upon the flower
Since the rain has to fall, let it fall on me
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
Água de beber
Água de beber, camará
These poignant lyrics from Antônio Carlos Jobim's song "Água de beber" (Drinking Water) evoke a beautiful metaphorical imagery comparing love to rain and the heart to a flower. The opening lines, "Your love is rain, my heart the flower, I need your love or I will die," express a deep yearning for love and emotional sustenance, drawing parallels between the essential need for water for a flower to survive and the necessity of love for one's emotional well-being. This juxtaposition symbolizes the vulnerability and dependence one can feel in a romantic relationship, highlighting the transformative power of love on one's life.
The lyrics further convey a sense of agency and control that love holds over the individual, as depicted in the line "My very life is in your power." This line reflects the notion that love has the ability to shape and influence one's existence, indicating the immense impact that love can have on the individual's sense of self and identity. The imagery of withering and fading or blooming to the sky encapsulates the emotional uncertainty and fragility that often accompany love, portraying the dichotomy between growth and stagnation in a relationship.
The repeated refrain of "Água de beber, Give the flower water to drink" emphasizes the importance of nourishing and nurturing love, underscoring the essential role that love plays in sustaining and enriching one's emotional life. The metaphor of providing water to the flower conveys the idea of replenishing and revitalizing a relationship, highlighting the reciprocity and care required to sustain a meaningful connection. This sentiment reinforces the idea that love, like water for a flower, is a vital source of sustenance and vitality in one's life.
The imagery of rain falling on distant deserts, the sea, and the flower symbolizes the ubiquity and abundance of love in the world, suggesting that love is a universal force that transcends boundaries and geographical limitations. The plea for the rain to fall on the singer, "Since the rain has to fall, let it fall on me," reflects a desire for love and emotional fulfillment, underscoring the longing for connection and intimacy. The incorporation of Portuguese phrases like "camará" adds a sense of cultural richness and authenticity to the lyrics, enhancing the emotive resonance of the song and infusing it with a sense of longing and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love is rain, my heart the flower
Your love is what nourishes me, just like rain nourishes a flower
I need your love or I will die
I rely on your love to survive, without it, I feel empty
My very life is in your power
You have the ability to control my happiness and well-being
Will I wither and fade or bloom to the sky
I am unsure if your love will help me thrive or cause me to suffer
Água de beber
Give the flower water to drink
The rain can fall on distant deserts
Love can reach places far away and unexpected
The rain can fall upon the sea
Even something as vast as the sea can be influenced by love
The rain can fall upon the flower
Love has the power to bring life and growth to even the smallest things
Since the rain has to fall, let it fall on me
I welcome your love and the positive effects it can bring into my life
Água de beber, camará
Give the flower water to drink, my friend
Lyrics © VM ENTERPRISES INC, CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De De Moraes, Norman Gimbel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Norris
on Samba Do Soho
It's "Diadem" which is a fancy headband. Also, I believe this song was written by Jobim's son, Paolo.