A Felicidade
Orquestra Rio de Janeiro Lyrics

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Tristeza nao tem fim Felicidade, sim...
A felicidade é como a pluma
Que o vento vai levando peloar
Voa tao leve Mas tem a vida breve
Precisa que haja vento sem parar...

A felicidade do pobre parece
A grande ilusao do carnaval,

A gente trabalha o ano inteiro
Por um momento de sonho
Pra fazer a fantasia

de rei, ou de pirata, ou jardineira
E tudo se acabar na quarta feira
Tristeza nao tem fim Felicidade, sim...
A felicidade é como a gota de orvalho
Numa pétala de flor
Brilha tranqüila Depois de leve oscila
E cai como uma lágrima de amor
A minha felicidade está sonhando
Nos olhos da minha namorada
E como esta noite
Passando, passando
Em busca da madrugada
Falem baixo por favor
Pra que ela acorde alegre como o dia

Oferecendo beijos de amor
Tristeza nao tem fim

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Orquestra Rio de Janeiro's song "A Felicidade" portray the contrast between happiness and sadness. The first verse states that sadness is endless, while happiness is fleeting like a feather carried away by the wind. The second verse describes how the poor's happiness is like an illusion of Carnival, where they work the whole year for just a moment of dreaming and creating costumes for a few days of revelry. However, it all ends on Wednesday, and the reality sets in. The third verse talks about how happiness is like a drop of dew on a flower petal – it shines, sways, and falls like a tear of love. The singer finds his happiness in the eyes of his girlfriend, and he spends the night dreaming about the future.

The lyrics of "A Felicidade" also explore the idea that happiness is not a constant state of being but rather something that needs to be sustained by something else. The feather needs the wind to stay airborne, and the drop of dew needs the flower petal to hold onto. Similarly, the happiness of the poor needs the illusion of Carnival, and the singer's happiness needs the dream of being with his girlfriend.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of transience and impermanence that underlies happiness. It reminds the listener that happiness is not a destination but a journey that needs constant effort, whether it's sustaining the illusion of Carnival or nurturing a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Tristeza nao tem fim Felicidade, sim...
Sadness has no end, but happiness does.

A felicidade é como a pluma
Happiness is like a feather

Que o vento vai levando pelo ar
That the wind carries away in the air

Voa tao leve Mas tem a vida breve
It flies so lightly, but has a short life

Precisa que haja vento sem parar...
It needs an uninterrupted wind...

A felicidade do pobre parece
The happiness of the poor seems

A grande ilusao do carnaval,
Like the great illusion of the carnival,

A gente trabalha o ano inteiro
People work the whole year

Por um momento de sonho
For a moment of dream

Pra fazer a fantasia
To make the costume

de rei, ou de pirata, ou jardineira
Of a king, or a pirate, or a gardener,