Her history is linked with the developing of important escolas de samba (samba schools) from Rio de Janeiro, such as Prazer da Serrinha and Império Serrano. Her repertoire is comprised of mostly romantic sambas inspired by rootsy African music. Until 2000, she recorded only these 5 LPs and one CD. Dona Ivone Lara is the godmother of the group of composers at Império Serrano and participates in the carnival parades every year.
Dona Ivone Lara was born in Rio de Janeiro. She graduated in nursing, with specialization in Occupational Therapy, and worked as a social worker until she retired in 1977. With this professional background, she worked in psychiatric hospitals, where she knew Dr. Nise da Silveira.
With the death of her mother when she was three, and of her father when she was twelve, Dona Ivone was raised by aunts and uncles and with them she learned to play the cavaquinho. She was exposed to samba music at the side of her cousin Mestre Fuleiro; she took singing lessons from Lucília Villa-Lobos and was praised by Dona Lucília's husband, the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.
At the age of 25, she married Oscar Costa, son of Afredo Costa, the president of the Prazer da Serrinha samba school. At Prazer da Serrinha she met several composers who later became her partners in several compositions, among them Mano Décio da Viola e Silas de Oliveira.
Dona Ivone composed the samba Nasci para sofrer (Born To Suffer), which became the theme song of the samba school. When the samba school Império Serrano was founded in 1947, she began to parade in the ala das baianas (Wing of the Baianas) during carnaval parades. There she composed the samba Não me perguntes (Don't Ask Me),. Her consecration as a composer came in 1965, with Os cinco bailes da história do Rio (The Five Balls of the History of Rio) qwhen she became the first woman to become part of the ala de compositores (Wing of the Composers) of a samba school.
Retiring from nursing in 1977, she began to dedicate herself to her musical career. She continues to record and to perform before live audiences today. Among the interpreters of her songs are such singers and artists as Clara Nunes, Roberto Ribeiro, Maria Bethânia, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Paula Toller, Paulinho da Viola, Beth Carvalho, Mariene de Castro e Roberta Sá.
Força da Imaginação
Dona Ivone Lara Lyrics
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Além dos pés e do chão, chega lá
O que a mão ainda não toca
Coração um dia alcança
Força da imaginação, vai lá
Quando um poeta compõe mais um samba
Ele funda outra cidade
Força da imaginação
Na forma da melodia
Não escurece a razão
Ilumina o dia-a-dia
Força da imaginação, vai lá
além dos pés e do chão, chega lá
o que a mão ainda não toca
Coração um dia alcança
Força da Imaginação
Vai lá
Força da Imaginação
Vai lá
Quando uma escola traz de lá do morro
O que no asfalto nem é sonho
Atravessa o coração um entusiasmo medonho
Força da imaginação
Se espalhando na avenida
Não pra animar a fraqueza
Mas pra dar mais vida à vida
Força da imaginação, além dos pés e do chão
Chega lá, o que a mão ainda não toca
Coração um dia alcança
Força da Imaginação
Vai lá
Força da Imaginação
Vai lá
The lyrics of "Força Da Imaginação" by Dona Ivone Lara celebrate the power of imagination and its ability to transcend boundaries and limitations. The song encourages listeners to tap into their imagination and strive for more, to go beyond their physical limitations and reach their goals.
In the first verse, the lyrics emphasize the idea that imagination can take us beyond what we can physically achieve. It suggests that there are things that our hands cannot touch yet our hearts can reach. This highlights the notion that imagination has the power to bring forth dreams and aspirations that may not be immediately accessible in reality.
The second verse talks about the role of a poet in creating a song. It states that when a poet composes a samba, they create another world, forming a new city. Even in their moments of pain and sorrow, they are able to transform it into happiness and joy through their imagination. The lyrics emphasize that the power of imagination, when expressed through melody, does not obscure rationality but rather illuminates the everyday life.
Moving on to the third verse, the lyrics give an example of how imagination can bring dreams to life. It describes a situation where a school brings the dreams of the favelas (morros) to the city streets. The excitement and enthusiasm spread through the hearts of the people, creating a powerful impact. The lyrics suggest that imagination has the ability to transcend societal boundaries and make dreams a reality.
The refrain repeats the line "Força da Imaginação, vai lá" which translates to "Power of imagination, go there." This emphasizes the call to action in utilizing one's imagination to go beyond their immediate circumstances and achieve greatness. The repetition reinforces the idea that imagination has the power to reach beyond physical limitations and encourages listeners to embrace this power within themselves. Ultimately, "Força Da Imaginação" is an empowering anthem that celebrates the transformative power of imagination and inspires listeners to tap into their creative potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Força da imaginação, vai lá
The power of imagination, go there
Além dos pés e do chão, chega lá
Beyond the feet and the ground, reach there
O que a mão ainda não toca
What the hand hasn't reached yet
Coração um dia alcança
The heart will one day achieve it
Quando um poeta compõe mais um samba
When a poet composes another samba
Ele funda outra cidade
He creates another city
Lamentando a sua dor ele faz felicidade
Lamenting his pain, he creates happiness
Força da imaginação
The power of imagination
Na forma da melodia
In the form of melody
Não escurece a razão
It doesn't darken reason
Ilumina o dia-a-dia
It illuminates everyday life
Quando uma escola traz de lá do morro
When a school brings from the hill
O que no asfalto nem é sonho
What is not even a dream on the asphalt
Atravessa o coração um entusiasmo medonho
An immense enthusiasm crosses the heart
Força da imaginação
The power of imagination
Se espalhando na avenida
Spreading on the avenue
Não pra animar a fraqueza
Not to encourage weakness
Mas pra dar mais vida à vida
But to give more life to life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Yvonne Lara Da Costa, Caetano Emmanuel Viana Teles Veloso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind