In 1989, Silveira left Salvador for São Paulo and now lives in Rio de Janeiro. Jussara's rendition for Caetano Veloso's "Dama do Cassino" (included in the compilation CD “Elas Cantam Caetano”) was included in the soundtrack of the soap opera “Irmãos Coragem” and reached the Top Ten on Brazilian radio.
Winning the “Copene de Cultura e Arte Prize” in 1996, Silveira recorded her first independent CD, Jussara Silveira. Extremely well received by critics, the album launched her recording career. The album was re-released in the next year by Dubas Music label.
Her second album, Canções de Caymmi, was also praised by critics. On this work, Jussara, backed by some of the best musicians in Brazil, balances some of the most widely known Caymmi's hits with less successful compositions, which also have superior musical qualities, like the haunting, mysterious "O Vento."
In her next album Jussara gives a voice to emerging composers and also explores little-known pieces by veterans such as Chico Buarque, Jorge Ben Jor, and Tom Zé.
Both Nobreza and Entre o amor e o mar were released by Maianga Discos in 2006. Nobreza is the result of her musical partnership whith Luiz Brazil presenting a sophisticated voice-and-guitar duet. Entre o amor e o mar is a record rich in songs about love and the sea.
In 2009, the independent label Biscoito fino/Quitanda released the DVD/CD Tres meninas do Brasil - a special project that presents Jussara Silveira with Rita Ribeiro and Teresa Cristina, directed by the well-known Brazilian musician Jaime Alem, who has been Maria Bethânia partner for 2 decades.
Braço de mar
Jussara Silveira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
aquele que chega é sagaz
braço de mar bem pertinho de ti
lá onde o olho bate
mar onde o corpo cai
da areia ao horizonte
braço do mar, cheia de mar
cacho no mar, cheiro do mar
olha a cidade num braço de mar
braço de mar
mata a saudade num braço de mar
mar onde alguém responde
lá onde o braço vai
da areia ao horizonte
braço do mar, cheia de mar
cacho no mar, cheiro do mar
braço de mar
olha a cidade num braço de mar
braço de mar
mata a saudade num braço de mar.
The lyrics of Jussara Silveira's song Braço de mar evoke a sense of longing for the sea, the interplay between land and water, and the vastness of the horizon. The opening line, "o caminho é longe daqui" (the path is far from here), sets the tone for the rest of the song, suggesting a journey or an escapade to a distant place. The next line, "aquele que chega é sagaz" (the one who arrives is clever), implies that reaching the destination requires wit and resourcefulness.
The title of the song, "braço de mar," which translates to "arm of the sea," is used repeatedly in the chorus, highlighting the centrality of the sea to the singer's emotions and memories. The sea is both a physical and emotional presence, with references to its smell, taste, and touch. The lines "mar onde o corpo cai" (sea where the body falls) and "mar onde alguém responde" (sea where someone answers) suggest both the danger and the comfort that the sea can offer. The repetition of the words "cheia de mar" (full of sea) and "cacho no mar" (cluster in the sea) reinforce the idea of the sea as a powerful and encompassing force.
Overall, the lyrics of Braço de mar convey a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the power and beauty of the sea, while also hinting at the risks and uncertainties of navigating its waters.
Line by Line Meaning
O caminho é longe daqui
The path to reach there is far away from this place
aquele que chega é sagaz
The one who arrives there is clever
braço de mar bem pertinho de ti
A small inlet of the sea very close to you
lá onde o olho bate
There, where the eye touches
mar onde o corpo cai
Sea where the body falls
da areia ao horizonte
From the sand to the horizon
braço do mar, cheia de mar
Inlet of the sea, full of sea
cacho no mar, cheiro do mar
Cluster in the sea, smell of the sea
braço de mar
Inlet of the sea
olha a cidade num braço de mar
Look at the city in an inlet of the sea
braço de mar
Inlet of the sea
mata a saudade num braço de mar
Kills the longing in an inlet of the sea
mar onde alguém responde
Sea where someone answers
lá onde o braço vai
There, where the inlet goes
da areia ao horizonte
From the sand to the horizon
braço do mar, cheia de mar
Inlet of the sea, full of sea
cacho no mar, cheiro do mar
Cluster in the sea, smell of the sea
braço de mar
Inlet of the sea
olha a cidade num braço de mar
Look at the city in an inlet of the sea
braço de mar
Inlet of the sea
mata a saudade num braço de mar
Kills the longing in an inlet of the sea
Contributed by Natalie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.