Querida
Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics


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Longa é a tarde
Longa é a vida
De tristes flores
Longa ferida
Longa é a dor do pecador, querida
Breve é o dia
Breve é a vida
De breve flores
Na despedida
Longa é a dor do pecador, querida
Breve é a dor do trovador, querida
Longa é a praia
Longa restinga
Da Marambaia a Joatina
Breve é a fé do pescador, querida
E a longa espera do caçador, perdida
O dia passa e eu nessa lida
Longa é a arte
Tão breve a vida
Louco é o desejo do ama... dor, querida
(Querida)
Longo é o beijo do amador, bandida
Belo é um jovem mergulhador na ida




Vasto é o mar, espelho do céu, querida...
(Querida)

Overall Meaning

In Jobim's song "Querida," he describes the long and short aspects of life, comparing the longevity of sadness and pain to the fleeting nature of joy and beauty. He speaks of the lengthy afternoon, life, and wound of sin, which are all interconnected. The imagery employed here paints a picture of a world in which the good times pass quickly, while the bad times linger on.


Furthermore, Jobim discusses how even when someone has brief moments of happiness or hope, the weight of their struggles will never entirely disappear. He touches on the faith of fishermen and the long wait of hunters, as they each hang on to the promise of a better future. However, while their desire may be a driving force, it is deemed as madness, as madness is the only reason they keep fighting. The bizarre and senseless nature of love is also emphasized, as it is represented by pain, and even the kiss of a lover is portrayed as lengthy, dangerous, and potentially harmful.


Overall, the song leaves us with a feeling of concern about the fleeting moments of happiness in our lives and the extended struggles that follow us. We're reminded to be mindful and grateful for what we have, even if it is only for a brief moment.


Line by Line Meaning

Longa é a tarde
Afternoon is too long


Longa é a vida
Life is too long


De tristes flores
With sad flowers


Longa ferida
A long wound


Longa é a dor do pecador, querida
Sinner's pain is too long, my love


Breve é o dia
Day is short


Breve é a vida
Life is short


De breve flores
With short-lived flowers


Na despedida
At the time of farewell


Longa é a dor do pecador, querida
Sinner's pain is too long, my love


Breve é a dor do trovador, querida
Troubadour's pain is brief, my love


Longa é a praia
Beach is long


Longa restinga
Long sandbar


Da Marambaia a Joatina
From Marambaia to Joatina


Breve é a fé do pescador, querida
Fisherman's faith is short, my love


E a longa espera do caçador, perdida
And the hunter's long wait is lost


O dia passa e eu nessa lida
The day goes by and I'm in this struggle


Longa é a arte
Art is long


Tão breve a vida
Life is so short


Louco é o desejo do ama... dor, querida
Crazy is the desire of the lover...pain, my love


(Querida)
(My Love)


Longo é o beijo do amador, bandida
The amateur's kiss is long, rogue


Belo é um jovem mergulhador na ida
Beautiful is a young diver on the way


Vasto é o mar, espelho do céu, querida...
The sea is vast, mirror of the sky, my love...


(Querida)
(My Love)




Writer(s): Antonio Carlos Jobim

Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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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.

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