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.
Quem Me Dera
Ivan Lins Lyrics
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Bons ventos e brisas
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Se tanto precisas
Te dar jeito, te encher de motivos
Te dar mais valia
Te dar corda, te encher de amigos
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
O que mais querias
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Te dar garantia
Te dar forças, mexer com teus brios
Te dar valentia
Te dar filhos serenos, tranquilos
Te dar companhia
Fora os planos que tenho que adiar
Fora o ar que eu tenho que arejar
Fora o verde que tenho que inventar
Restam sonhos que eu teimo em sonhar
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Bons ventos e brisas
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Se tanto precisas
Te dar calma, te encher de mistérios
Te dar desafios
Te dar sonhos, mexer no teu tédio
Te dar meus navios
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
O que mais querias
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Te dar garantia
Te dar sorte, te encher de imprevistos
Te dar mais ainda
Te dar festas, mexer no teu riso
Te dar boas vindas
Fora o tempo que tenho que arranjar
Fora o medo que tenho que guardar
Fora as ruas que tenho que evitar
Fora os olhos que tenho que secar
Fora os planos que tenho que adiar
Fora o ar que eu tenho que arejar
Fora o verde que tenho que inventar
Restam sonhos que eu teimo em sonhar
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Bons ventos e brisas
The lyrics to Ivan Lins's song "Quem Me Dera" speak of a deep longing to provide everything someone desires or needs. The first stanza sets the tone by wishing to give good winds and breezes, as much as the person may need them. The following stanzas continue with a list of things that the singer wishes to give, such as ways to improve oneself, a sense of security, and joy.
The chorus repeats the sentiment of wanting to give what is desired and needed, including calmness and mystery, dreams and challenges, good fortune and unexpected surprises. The final stanza recognizes the limitations that the singer faces in being able to give all of these things, such as the passing of time, fear, and hardship, which are all part of life. Still, the singer remains hopeful and persistent in their desire to fulfill the needs of the person they address in the song, despite the obstacles.
Overall, the song conveys a deep sense of care and devotion, emphasizing the singer's willingness to give everything they can to make someone happy and fulfilled. The lyrics encourage us to think about what matters most in our relationships and how we can show our love and support for those we care about in meaningful ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Quem me dera te dar, quem me dera
Oh, how I wish I could give you, how I wish I could give you
Bons ventos e brisas
Good winds and breezes
Se tanto precisas
If you need so much
Te dar jeito, te encher de motivos
To give you a way, to fill you with reasons
Te dar mais valia
To give you more value
Te dar corda, te encher de amigos
To give you rope, to fill you with friends
Te dar alegria
To give you joy
O que mais querias
What you wanted most
Te dar garantia
To give you assurance
Te dar forças, mexer com teus brios
To give you strength, to stir your pride
Te dar valentia
To give you courage
Te dar filhos serenos, tranquilos
To give you serene, tranquil children
Te dar companhia
To give you companionship
Fora os planos que tenho que adiar
Apart from the plans I have to postpone
Fora o ar que eu tenho que arejar
Apart from the air I have to freshen
Fora o verde que tenho que inventar
Apart from the green I have to create
Restam sonhos que eu teimo em sonhar
Only dreams remain that I stubbornly dream
Te dar calma, te encher de mistérios
To give you calm, to fill you with mysteries
Te dar desafios
To give you challenges
Te dar sonhos, mexer no teu tédio
To give you dreams, to shake up your boredom
Te dar meus navios
To give you my ships
Te dar sorte, te encher de imprevistos
To give you luck, to fill you with surprises
Te dar mais ainda
To give you even more
Te dar festas, mexer no teu riso
To give you parties, to stir your laughter
Te dar boas vindas
To give you a warm welcome
Fora o tempo que tenho que arranjar
Apart from the time I have to find
Fora o medo que tenho que guardar
Apart from the fear I have to keep
Fora as ruas que tenho que evitar
Apart from the streets I have to avoid
Fora os olhos que tenho que secar
Apart from the eyes I have to dry
Restam sonhos que eu teimo em sonhar
Only dreams remain that I stubbornly dream
Bons ventos e brisas
Good winds and breezes
Contributed by Jake J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.