Joyce Silveira Moreno (born January 31, 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), be… Read Full Bio ↴Joyce Silveira Moreno (born January 31, 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), best known as Joyce or Joyce Moreno, is a Brazilian singer, composer, acoustic guitarist, arranger and producer. Her trademark was, since the beginning of her career, the feminine language in the first person, in which she was a pioneer: she was the first female Brazilian composer to express herself this way in the history of MPB, paving the way for countless other female composers who would follow.

Joyce has in her baggage an extensive discography and about 400 recordings of her songs by some of the biggest names in Brazilian popular music, such as Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia, Elis Regina, Milton Nascimento, Ney Matogrosso, Edu Lobo, Emílio Santiago, Boca Livre, Mônica Salmaso, Leny Andrade, Nana Caymmi, Zizi Possi, Elizeth Cardoso, Simone and many others. Internationally, she has been recorded by big names like Annie Lennox, Wallace Roney, Omara Portuondo, Black Eyed Peas, David Sanchez, Jon Lucien, Claus Ogerman, Gerry Mulligan, Till Brönner, Flora Purim and others. Her compositions have been used in soundtracks for films (such as Robert Altman's "The Player" and "Legally Blonde"), animations (she participated in the soundtrack of the Japanese anime "Wolf's Rain" in partnership with Japanese composer Yoko Kanno), TV shows and theater performances.

She received 4 Latin Grammy nominations and has so far 34 individual CDs and 2 DVDs, besides compilations and participations. Currently, her work also follows an international path, with world tours every year and recordings of new albums in different countries, without ever losing her Brazilian-feminine identity. She performs annually on the Blue Note circuit in Japan, and in jazz festivals and tours in Europe, the United States, and Canada.

Quarup
Joyce Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Queria cruzar minha terra
Num cavalo Marajoara
Sertão, litoral, bráz de serra,
seguindo em galope de guerra
a trilha não se dará, ra
Sentir o Brasil, quem me dera,
em de grota de barro e Taquara
Trançando o sapê de Tapera

Deitando o meu sonho em Anguara
com sangue de tupinambara
Queria encontrar minha lira
para ver o que vai passara
Saci provocar Curipira,
Caiopara montar pombagira
namoro de boto com Iara
Queria, num dia de graça,
num claro, pedir lua clara.
Bebendo calina, cabaça.
Rever minha parte da raça
que vem da Cabloca Jussara
Queria encontrar minha lira
para ver o que vai passara
Saci provocar Curipira,
Caiopara montar pombagira
namoro de boto com Iara
Queria, num dia de graça,
num claro, pedir lua clara.
Bebendo calina, cabaça.

Rever minha parte da raça
que vem da Cabloca Jussara

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joyce's song Quarup evoke a strong longing for the Brazilian land and culture. The first two lines express a desire to cross the country on a Marajoara horse, a breed native to the Amazon region of Brazil. The following lines mention different geographical features of the land, such as the hinterland (sertão), the coast (litoral), and the mountain ridges (bráz de serra), exemplifying the rich and diverse terrain of Brazil. The singer takes on the challenge in a galloping journey, hoping to experience the essence of Brazil, represented by the mud hut (grota de barro) and bamboo (taquara) weave he encounters along the way.

The song then takes on a mystical tone, with references to Brazilian folklore and indigenous traditions. The lyrics mention several mythical creatures such as Saci, Curupira, and Iara, each representing different aspects of nature and culture. The singer longs for a glimpse of these magical beings and to become one with the land and its people. The last few lines refer to a sense of nostalgia and longing to connect with the singer's family history, particularly the Cabloca Jussara, who symbolizes the mix of indigenous and Portuguese heritage that characterizes Brazil.

Overall, Joyce's Quarup is an ode to Brazil's cultural and natural diversity and a nostalgic nod to its complex roots and traditions.

Line by Line Meaning

Queria cruzar minha terra
I wish to traverse my land

Num cavalo Marajoara
On a Marajoara horse

Sertão, litoral, bráz de serra,
Dry wilderness, coast, and rugged terrain

seguindo em galope de guerra
Riding swiftly, like going to war

a trilha não se dará, ra
The path may not reveal itself

Sentir o Brasil, quem me dera,
To truly feel Brazil, I long

em de grota de barro e Taquara
In the mud and reeds of a creek

Trançando o sapê de Tapera
Weaving the Tapera reed

Deitando o meu sonho em Anguara
Lying down and dreaming on Anguara

com sangue de tupinambara
With the blood of Tupinambá