Testifying to Lins' importance as a composer is the frequency with which tribute albums and new covers of his compositions appear. His jazz classics have been recorded by many notable international artists including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Dianne Schuur, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Eliane Elias, Patti Austin, Toots Thielemans, Take Six, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, Mark Murphy, Dave Grusin, Sergio Mendes, and countless others.
Desesperar Jamais
Ivan Lins Lyrics
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Aprendemos muito nesses anos
Afinal de contas não tem cabimento
Entregar o jogo no primeiro tempo
Nada de correr da raia
Nada de morrer na praia
Nada! Nada! Nada de esquecer
No balanço de perdas e danos
Já tivemos muitos desenganos
Já tivemos muito que chorar
Mas agora, acho que chegou a hora
De fazer valer o dito popular
Desesperar jamais
Cutucou por baixo, o de cima cai
Desesperar jamais
Cutucou com jeito, não levanta mais
The song "Desesperar Jamais" by Ivan Lins is a powerful anthem about never losing hope, even in the face of adversity. The lyrics address the idea that we learn a lot over the years, and that it doesn't make sense to give up or quit when things get tough. The opening lines - "Desesperar jamais / Aprendemos muito nesses anos" - translate to "Never despair / We learn a lot over the years." This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is upbeat and motivational.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Desesperar jamais" several times, driving home the message that we should never give up. The next few lines encourage us to stay the course and not run away from our problems: "Nada de correr da raia / Nada de morrer na praia / Nada! Nada! Nada de esquecer." This translates to "No running from the track / No dying on the beach / Nothing! Nothing! Don't forget."
The final verse of the song is particularly powerful, as it reminds us that we have already overcome many obstacles and hardships: "No balanço de perdas e danos / Já tivemos muitos desenganos / Já tivemos muito que chorar." This translates to "In the balance of losses and gains / We've already had many disappointments / We've already had a lot to cry about." Yet despite all of this, the song urges us to keep going and to never give up hope: "Desesperar jamais / Cutucou por baixo, o de cima cai / Desesperar jamais / Cutucou com jeito, não levanta mais." These lines translate to "Never despair / Poke from below, and the one above falls / Never despair / Poke gently, and it won't rise again."
Line by Line Meaning
Desesperar jamais
Never despair
Aprendemos muito nesses anos
We have learned a lot over the years
Afinal de contas não tem cabimento
After all, it doesn't make any sense
Entregar o jogo no primeiro tempo
Giving up the game in the first half
Nada de correr da raia
Don't run away from the challenge
Nada de morrer na praia
Don't give up without trying your best
Nada! Nada! Nada de esquecer
Nothing! Nothing! Don't forget
No balanço de perdas e danos
In the balance of losses and gains
Já tivemos muitos desenganos
We have had many disappointments
Já tivemos muito que chorar
We have cried a lot
Mas agora, acho que chegou a hora
But now, I think it's time
De fazer valer o dito popular
To make the popular saying true
Desesperar jamais
Never despair
Cutucou por baixo, o de cima cai
Poke from below, the one above falls
Desesperar jamais
Never despair
Cutucou com jeito, não levanta mais
Poke softly, won't rise again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ivan Lins, Victor Martins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind