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.
Nas Asas da Canção
Dona Ivone Lara Lyrics
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Nas asas da canção
Até encontrar inspiração pra compor
Um sublime poema de amor
Quero reunir
As mais lindas notas musicais
Pra fazer feliz meu coração
Que já sofreu demais
Pra fazer feliz meu coração
Que já sofreu demais
Ó musa, me ajude como outrora
Não me abandone agora
No ocaso da vida
Sei que a minha mente está cansada
Foram tantas madrugadas
Quantas ilusões perdidas
Quero versos com muito lirismo
Para tirar do abismo
Meu pobre coração
Rica melodia emoldurando a fantasia
Da minha imaginação
Rica melodia emoldurando a fantasia
Da minha imaginação
Vou viajar
Nas asas da canção
Até encontrar inspiração pra compor
Um sublime poema de amor
Quero reunir
As mais lindas notas musicais
Pra fazer feliz meu coração
Que já sofreu demais
Pra fazer feliz meu coração
Que já sofreu demais
Ó musa, me ajude como outrora
Não me abandone agora
No ocaso da vida
Sei que a minha mente está cansada
Foram tantas madrugadas
Quantas ilusões perdidas
Quero versos com muito lirismo
Para tirar do abismo
Meu pobre coração
Rica melodia emoldurando a fantasia
Da minha imaginação
Rica melodia emoldurando a fantasia
Da minha imaginação
The lyrics of Dona Ivone Lara's song "Nas Asas da Canção" delve into the themes of seeking inspiration, resilience, and the power of music and creativity to heal a broken heart. The singer expresses a deep desire to embark on a journey through the wings of the melody in search of that elusive spark that will inspire the creation of a magnificent love poem. The act of traveling metaphorically on the wings of the song suggests a transcendental experience, where music serves as a vessel for emotional exploration and artistic expression.
In the second verse, the singer longs to gather the most beautiful musical notes to bring joy to their heart, which has endured significant suffering. This pursuit of happiness through music reflects a profound emotional need for solace and healing. The repeated desire to make the heart happy, despite its past pain, reveals a resilient spirit that refuses to be defeated by adversity. The lyrics resonate with the universal human experience of seeking comfort and renewal through the power of art and beauty.
The singer calls upon their muse for assistance, acknowledging the struggles and weariness that come with the passage of time. The plea for guidance and support from the muse reflects a sense of dependence on creative inspiration to navigate life's challenges, particularly in the twilight years. The reference to the tired mind and the countless lost illusions hints at a lifetime marked by hardship and disappointment, yet the singer remains determined to persevere and revive their spirit through the crafting of poetic verses infused with lyrical grace.
The final verses of the song emphasize the transformative nature of music and imagination in uplifting the soul and offering a reprieve from sorrow. The yearning for verses infused with lightheartedness and beauty to rescue the heart from despair speaks to the cathartic power of art in bringing solace and hope. The rich melodies framing the singer's fantasies and thoughts underscore the transformative potential of creativity in transcending pain and cultivating a sense of wonder and possibility. Ultimately, "Nas Asas da Canção" is a poignant ode to the enduring resilience of the human spirit, the healing balm of music, and the redemptive power of artistic expression in navigating life's trials and tribulations.
Line by Line Meaning
Vou viajar
I will embark on a journey
Nas asas da canção
On the wings of a song
Até encontrar inspiração pra compor
Until I find inspiration to compose
Um sublime poema de amor
A sublime love poem
Quero reunir
I want to gather
As mais lindas notas musicais
The most beautiful musical notes
Pra fazer feliz meu coração
To bring joy to my heart
Que já sofreu demais
Which has suffered too much
Ó musa, me ajude como outrora
O muse, help me as before
Não me abandone agora
Do not abandon me now
No ocaso da vida
In the twilight of life
Sei que a minha mente está cansada
I know that my mind is tired
Foram tantas madrugadas
There have been so many early mornings
Quantas ilusões perdidas
So many lost illusions
Quero versos com muito lirismo
I want verses full of lyricism
Para tirar do abismo
To pull out of the abyss
Meu pobre coração
My poor heart
Rica melodia emoldurando a fantasia
Rich melody framing the fantasy
Da minha imaginação
Of my imagination
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Yvonne Lara da Costa, Nelson Mattos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind