Aquarela Do Brasil
Elis Regina Lyrics


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O Brazil não conhece o Brasil
O Brasil nunca foi ao Brazil
Tapi, jabuti, liana, alamandra, alialaúde
Piau, ururau, aquiataúde
Piau, carioca, moreca, meganha
Jobim akarare e jobim açu
Oh, oh, oh
Pererê, camará, gororô, olererê
Piriri, ratatá, karatê, olará

O Brazil não merece o Brasil
O Brazil tá matando o Brasil
Gereba, saci, caandra, desmunhas, ariranha, aranha
Sertões, guimarães, bachianas, águas
E marionaíma, ariraribóia
Na aura das mãos do jobim açu
Oh, oh, oh
Gererê, sarará, cururu, olerê
Ratatá, bafafá, sururu, olará
Do Brasil S.O.S. ao Brasil
Tinhorão, urutú, sucuri
O Jobim, sabiá, bem-te-vi
Cabuçu, cordovil, Caxambi, olerê
Madureira, Olaria e Bangu, olará
Cascadura, Água Santa, Pari, olerê
Ipanema e Nova Iguaçu, olará




Do Brasil S.O.S. ao Brasil
Do Brasil S.O.S. ao Brasil

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Elis Regina/Toots Thielemans's song "Aquarela Do Brasil" speak to the complexity and diversity of Brazil, both in its natural landscapes and cultural traditions. The song begins by stating that Brazil is not familiar with Brazil, suggesting that there is still much to discover and appreciate about the country. This sentiment is reinforced with the list of words that follow, ranging from indigenous tribes (Tapi, jabuti, jobim akarare, jobim açu) to musical instruments (alialaúde) to animals (piua, ururau).


The song then takes a turn, lamenting that Brazil is killing itself. The list of words now includes references to supernatural creatures (Pererê, camará, saci), endangered species (ariranha), and cultural icons (Guimarães, Bachianas, Jobim). The repetition of "olere" and "olará" in the chorus adds to the sense of urgency and plea for action: Brazil is calling out for its own salvation.


Line by Line Meaning

O Brazil não conhece o Brasil
Brazil does not know its own richness and diversity


O Brasil nunca foi ao Brazil
Brazil has never fully explored its own territory and culture


Tapi, jabuti, liana, alamandra, alialaúde
Various flora and fauna native to Brazil, including both familiar and exotic species


Piau, ururau, aquiataúde
Names of birds found in Brazil


Piau, carioca, moreca, meganha
Names of different fish found in Brazil


Jobim akarare e jobim açu
Reference to the Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim, with the words 'akarare' and 'açu' possibly referencing indigenous words or places related to Jobim's music


Oh, oh, oh
Vocal interlude without specific meaning


Pererê, camará, gororô, olererê
Various traditional Brazilian dances and styles


Piriri, ratatá, karatê, olará
Additional references to traditional Brazilian music and dance


O Brazil não merece o Brasil
Brazil is not taking care of or valuing its own cultural and environmental heritage


O Brazil tá matando o Brasil
Brazil is destroying its own natural resources and cultural richness


Gereba, saci, caandra, desmunhas, ariranha, aranha
More references to various flora and fauna found in Brazil


Sertões, guimarães, bachianas, águas
References to important aspects of Brazilian culture and history, including the works of writer Guimarães Rosa and composer Heitor Villa-Lobos


E marionaíma, ariraribóia
Reference to indigenous female figures from Brazilian folklore


Na aura das mãos do jobim açu
The creative influence of Jobim on Brazilian music


Gererê, sarará, cururu, olerê
Additional references to traditional Brazilian music and dance


Ratatá, bafafá, sururu, olará
Further references to traditional Brazilian musical rhythms and sounds


Do Brasil S.O.S. ao Brasil
A call for Brazil to take care of its own natural and cultural resources


Tinhorão, urutú, sucuri
References to important Brazilian cultural figures and symbols, including musicologist José Ramos Tinhorão and the snake known as 'sucuri'


O Jobim, sabiá, bem-te-vi
Jobim's influence on Brazilian music, along with references to native birds


Cabuçu, cordovil, Caxambi, olerê
References to specific neighborhoods and areas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


Madureira, Olaria e Bangu, olará
Further references to neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro


Cascadura, Água Santa, Pari, olerê
Additional references to neighborhoods and areas in Rio de Janeiro


Ipanema e Nova Iguaçu, olará
References to both a fashionable neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro and a city in the state of Rio de Janeiro




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aldir Blanc Mendes, Mauricio Tapajos Gomes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MrGtrindade

A voz de Elis é inexplicável, comovente, sublime. A perfeição existe...

@89681eric

Elis era mestra em tudo,dicção,extensão,emissão,divisão,senso rítmico,jogo cênico...

@erikavitoria1789

Era super dotada né? A maior de todas!!!

@89681eric

@@erikavitoria1789 Sem dúvida.

@lidiaalvesgarcia

Elis é Elis, não tem como ela. É a voz mais linda!!!

@FernandoGarcia-bi7gn

Musica SENSACIONAL!! Elis era maravilhosa!! A melhor cantora do Brasil de todos os tempos!! Cantora nata! Salve Elis Regina!!

@izanimustafa6747

Uma das interpretações mais lindas e emocionantes de "Aquarela do Brasil". Só podia ser a Elis Regina...

@FernandoGracaOficial

e pensar que essa voz, essa presença, isso tudo, isso era ao vivo!!!!!!!!!!!! ao vivo.

@enilegnave21

Arrepiei... Fantastica versao...fantastica Eli's!!!

@graziellabarbosa7835

Como Elis era perfeita a melhor cantora do Brasil sem duvidas ,cada dia ela cantava melhor uma pura perfeição 😘

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