Triste
Antonio Carlos Jobim Lyrics


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Sad is to live in solitude
Far from your tranquil altitude
Sad is to know that no one ever can live on a dream
That never can be, will never be
Dreamer awake, wake up and see

Your beauty is an aeroplane
So high my heart can't bear the strain
A heart that stops when you pass by
Only to cause me pain
Sad is to live in solitude

Your beauty is an aeroplane
So high my heart can't bear the strain
A heart that stops when you pass by




Only to cause me pain
Sad is to live in solitude

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Triste" by Antonio Carlos Jobim depict a deep sense of melancholy and longing. It's about the sadness of living in loneliness, far away from the peacefulness that comes from being close to a loved one. The lyrics express the idea of dreaming about something that can never come true, being left with a feeling of sadness and emptiness. The first stanza begins with the lines, "Sad is to live in solitude, far from your tranquil altitude," indicating that the loneliness experienced is due to being away from someone special.


The second stanza goes on to describe how the person's beauty is like an airplane that's too high for the composer's heart to bear. The metaphor of an airplane depicts how the person's beauty is unattainable, always out of reach because it is so high. That beauty, although admired by the composer, ultimately brings him pain because it reminds him of what he can never have. It seems to be a reflection of the intense feelings of unrequited love and loneliness that the composer is experiencing.


Overall, "Triste" is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the deep sense of sadness and longing felt by someone who is far from the object of their affections.


Line by Line Meaning

Sad is to live in solitude
Living alone and without companionship is a sorrowful experience.


Far from your tranquil altitude
Being away from your peaceful and serene state of mind is distressing.


Sad is to know that no one ever can live on a dream
It is disheartening to realize that one can never truly sustain themselves on dreams alone.


That never can be, will never be
Dreams that can never be fulfilled will always bring disappointment.


Dreamer awake, wake up and see
Wake up from the illusion of dreams and face reality.


Your beauty is an aeroplane
Your beauty is a powerful force that takes my heart to great heights.


So high my heart can't bear the strain
My heart is overwhelmed with emotion by the sheer magnitude of your beauty.


A heart that stops when you pass by
My heart skips a beat every time I see you.


Only to cause me pain
This experience of love causes me anguish and heartache.


Sad is to live in solitude
Living without love and companionship brings great sorrow.




Lyrics © CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION, Tratore
Written by: A. C. Jobim

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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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