Alegria da Cidade
Margareth Menezes Lyrics

The lyrics of Margareth Menezes's song "Alegria da Cidade" celebrate the beauty and pride of black identity while addressing the universal themes of freedom and belonging. The opening lines, "a minha pele de ébano é... a minha alma nua" (my ebony skin is... my naked soul), establish a connection between the physical appearance and spiritual essence of the singer. She declares that her skin is a language, and the reading is all yours, inviting the listener to interpret and appreciate her artistry.

The following verse references the night's plumage and the streets' freedom, conveying a sense of wildness and spontaneity that is characteristic of jazz and rock music. The singer claims her place in American culture and challenges stereotypes by saying, "no coração da América eu sou o jazz, sou o rock" (in the heart of America, I am jazz, I am rock). She further asserts her identity as part of Jamaican and Bahian culture, emphasizing the connection between the black diaspora and the global reach of music.

The chorus repeats the phrase "apesar de tanto não e tanta dor que nos invade, somos nós a alegria da cidade" (despite so much negativity and so much pain that invades us, we are the joy of the city), affirming that despite the challenges faced by black communities, they are a source of light and hope. The song's overall message of self-expression, cultural pride, and positivity resonates beyond the context of Brazil and speaks to the broader issues of social justice and creative resistance.