Asa
Lee Ritenour Lyrics

The lyrics of "Asa" by Lee Ritenour and Djavan paint a picture of a vibrant and colorful morning, filled with flowers, birds, and butterflies. The opening lines describe the morning coming to the singer's rescue with its beauty and grace. However, this peaceful scenery is juxtaposed with a passionate and ardent love affair. The singer is Ana, who is deeply in love with someone who she describes in terms of fire and passion. The repeated line "Diz que pedra não fala, que dirá se falasse" (They say a stone can not speak, what if it could?) speaks to the overwhelming nature of love, with its power to make even inanimate objects speak.

The song continues with a reference to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, and the Juruna, native tribes of Brazil. These mythological allusions tie in with the idea of love being a powerful and otherworldly force. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the passionate nature of the love affair, and how Ana is consumed by it.

The final verses return to a more philosophical tone, questioning the purpose of life and where it leads us. The repeated phrase "O que há pra falar, onde leva essa ladeira, que tristes terras vencerá" (What is there to say, where does this slope lead, what sad lands will it conquer?) suggests that there is an unanswerable question about the purpose of life, despite the many paths and directions we may take. The song ends with a reflection on the power of music, specifically the blues, and how it has the ability to interpret and express the emotional complexities of life.

Overall, "Asa" is a song that delves deep into the complexities of love, nature, mythology, and philosophy, using vivid and poetic language to convey its message.