Let Go
Astrud Gilberto Lyrics


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O homem que diz dou não dá
Porque quem dá mesmo não diz
O homem que diz vou não vai
Porque quando foi já não quis

O homem que diz sou não é
Porque quem é mesmo é não sou
O homem que diz tô não tá
Porque ninguém tá quando quer

Coitado do homem que cai
No canto de Ossanha, traidor
Coitado do homem que vai
Atrás de mandinga de amor

Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai, vai

Let go, let the world know you're alive
Let the world know you believe
Let the world know you have loved to give

Amigo sinhô, saravá
Xangô me mandou lhe dizer
Se é canto de Ossanha, não vá
Que muito vai se arrepender

Pergunte pro seu Orixá
O amor só é bom se doer
Pergunte pro seu Orixá
O amor só é bom se doer

Vai, vai, vai, vai, amar
Vai, vai, vai, sofrer
Vai, vai, vai, vai, chorar
Vai, vai, vai

Let go, let the world know you're alive
Let the world know you believe
Let the world know you have loved to give

Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou




Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou
Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Astrud Gilberto's "Let Go" are in Portuguese, and they are a contemplation on the nature of love and the difficulty of letting go. The opening verses describe how the man who makes promises (saying "I give" or "I will go") typically fails to follow through with those promises, indicating that his words lack substance. The man who claims to be something (saying "I am") is probably not actually that thing. The man who says "I'm coming" is already gone. These verses are punctuated by the refrain "Let go, let the world know you're alive," a reminder to the listener to be present in the moment and to move forward without fear.


The second half of the song references the Orixá (a spiritual entity believed by some Afro-Brazilian religions to mediate between humans and God) Xangô and his relationship to the deity Ossanha. The singer warns "poor man" not to fall into Ossanha's trap, presumably of pursuing love or romance that will ultimately cause suffering. She suggests that the listener consult their own Orixá to determine whether love is worth the pain. The final refrain, "Go, go, go, love" encourages the listener to take risks and experience life to the fullest, even if it means crying or heartbreak.


Overall, the lyrics of "Let Go" encourage the listener to embrace life, love, and all its struggles, rather than shying away from them. The song advocates for living fully, even if it means being vulnerable or getting hurt.


Line by Line Meaning

O homem que diz dou não dá
The man who claims to donate is not really giving


Porque quem dá mesmo não diz
Because the one who gives, gives without boasting


O homem que diz vou não vai
The man who promises to go doesn't follow through


Porque quando foi já não quis
Because when the time came, he lacked the will to go


O homem que diz sou não é
The man who claims 'I am' isn't really himself


Porque quem é mesmo é não sou
Because the one who truly is, doesn't claim it


O homem que diz tô não tá
The man who says 'I am there' is never truly there


Porque ninguém tá quando quer
Because no one is always available when you need them


Coitado do homem que cai
Poor is the man who falls


No canto de Ossanha, traidor
In the corner of Ossanha, the traitor


Coitado do homem que vai
Poor is the man who goes


Atrás de mandinga de amor
Chasing the spell of love


Vai, vai, vai, vai, não vou
Go, go, go, go, I won't go


Amigo sinhô, saravá
Friend Sir, greetings


Xangô me mandou lhe dizer
Xangô sent me to tell you


Se é canto de Ossanha, não vá
If it's Ossanha's song, don't go


Que muito vai se arrepender
You'll regret it a lot


Pergunte pro seu Orixá
Ask your Orixá


O amor só é bom se doer
Love is only good if it hurts


Vai, vai, vai, vai, amar
Go, go, go, go, love


Vai, vai, vai, sofrer
Go, go, go, suffer


Vai, vai, vai, vai, chorar
Go, go, go, go, cry


Let go, let the world know you're alive
Release, show the world you're alive


Let the world know you believe
Show the world you have faith


Let the world know you have loved to give
Show the world you have love to offer




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VINICIUS DE MORAES, BADEN POWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mr Mike

Damn my favorite Brazilian tune ever! Best Brazilian female vocalist ever too!

TbirdsOf1965

Thanks for checking it out!

imonthebox1

My all time favourite Samba. Its hypnotic.. I could listen and dance to it all day everyday...

Billy Reis

Melhor versão desse clássico.

Carmelo Hernández

The most groove´n´jazzy version of this brazilian classic. Astrud Gilberto IS fantastic, The voice in the crowd.

Biological Engine of Love

What a gem of a jam!

Paula Kelsch

This is so beautiful ❤

kennethmchilders

Sixties pop in English, Brazilian voodoo in Portuguese ... wow ...

valdy

Is the lyrics about brazilian voodoo?

Nehad Nasr

@valdy no

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