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.
Rainha Quelê
Dona Ivone Lara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quem te fez assim foi a natureza
Rainha Quelé
Com a sua fé, espalha beleza
O mundo africano
Cheio de tristezas e desenganos
Que faz cantar
E também sonhar
Vejo a lua prateada, no terreiro de jongueiro
Escutando a sua voz, praguejando o cativeiro
Encantando o nosso povo, que deseja te saudar
Renovando esperanças, glórias de quem sabe amar
Sabe amar, sabe amar ô ô, sabe amar rainha
Negritude vive solta, cada vez é mais presente
Quando o mundo é ritmado, quando vive o samba quente
Representa nossa gente, vem rainha, vem cantar
O teu canto comovente, glórias de quem sabe amar
Sabe amar, sabe amar ô ô, sabe amar
The lyrics to Dona Ivone Lara's song "Rainha Quelê" celebrate the strength and beauty of African culture and its ability to overcome adversity. The song starts by recognizing that Quelê, the queen, was created by nature itself. She is described as a symbol of faith and spreads beauty wherever she goes. The mention of the African world being filled with sadness and disappointment highlights the historical struggles and hardships faced by African people.
The song emphasizes the power of Quelê's voice, comparing it to the shining moon in a jongueiro (a place where African musical traditions are practiced). Her voice carries the weight of the past, expressing the pain of slavery, but also inspiring hope for a better future. The lyrics also mention the influence of Quelê's singing on the people, who desire to greet her and be touched by her music. She renews their hope and brings glory to those who understand the power of love.
The following verse emphasizes the presence and importance of black culture, which is becoming increasingly prevalent. The rhythm of the world and the heat of samba bring forth the true essence of our people. Quelê represents the African roots that run deep within us, and her voice carries the emotions of the community. She sings with such passion and sentiment, bringing glory to those who truly understand the art of love.
In conclusion, the lyrics of "Rainha Quelê" celebrate the natural beauty, strength, and resilience of African culture. Quelê is recognized as a symbol of faith and beauty, spreading hope and renewal wherever she goes. The song highlights the power of her voice to express the pain and struggles of the past, while also inspiring a sense of unity and love among the people. Through her singing, Quelê represents the presence and importance of black culture, bringing glory to those who understand and appreciate its significance.
Line by Line Meaning
Rainha Quelé
Oh, Queen Quelé
Quem te fez assim foi a natureza
It was nature that made you this way
Com a sua fé, espalha beleza
With your faith, you spread beauty
O mundo africano
The African world
Cheio de tristezas e desenganos
Full of sadness and disappointments
Que faz cantar
That makes you sing
E também sonhar
And also dream
Vejo a lua prateada, no terreiro de jongueiro
I see the silver moon in the jongueiro's yard
Escutando a sua voz, praguejando o cativeiro
Listening to your voice, cursing the captivity
Encantando o nosso povo, que deseja te saudar
Enchanting our people, who wish to greet you
Renovando esperanças, glórias de quem sabe amar
Renewing hopes, the glories of those who know how to love
Sabe amar, sabe amar ô ô, sabe amar rainha
Knows how to love, knows how to love ô ô, knows how to love, queen
Negritude vive solta, cada vez é mais presente
Negritude is unleashed, increasingly present
Quando o mundo é ritmado, quando vive o samba quente
When the world is rhythmic, when the samba is hot
Representa nossa gente, vem rainha, vem cantar
Represents our people, come, queen, come and sing
O teu canto comovente, glórias de quem sabe amar
Your touching song, the glories of those who know how to love
Sabe amar, sabe amar ô ô, sabe amar
Knows how to love, knows how to love ô ô, knows how to love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Delcio Carvalho, Yvonne Lara Da Costa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcos Leite
Maravilhosa Canção , Dona Ivone Lara nossa eterna Rainha do Samba,Deus a Tenha Eternamente
Marcos Leite
Maravilhosa Canção , Dona Ivone Lara nossa eterna Rainha do Samba,Deus a Tenha Eternamente