Initially playing in colleges, Toquinho's professional career took off in the 1960s at shows promoted by radio personality Walter Silva at the famous Paramount theater in São Paulo. He composed his first recorded song with Chico Buarque entitled "Lua Cheia" (Full Moon). His first big hit was composed in 1970 with Jorge Benjor, "Que Maravilha" (What a Wonder). That same year he was invited by Vinícius de Moraes, co-writer of the worldwide hit song "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema), to participate in a series of shows in Buenos Aires, forming a solid partnership that would continue for 11 years and produce 120 songs, 25 records and over a thousand shows.
After the death of Vinícius de Moraes in 1980, he went on to pursue a solo career, often performing with other talented musicians like Paulinho da Viola, Danilo Caymmi, Paulinho Nogueira and Chico Buarque. He continues to record and play.
Aquarela Do Brasil
Toquinho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meu Brasil brasileiro
Meu mulato izoneiro
Vou cantar-te nos meus versos
Brasil, samba que d
Bamboleio, que faz ging
Brasil, do meu amor
Terra de nosso Senhor
Brasil!
Pra mim...
Pra mim...
abre a cortina do passado
Tira a me preta do serrado
Bota o rei gongo no congado
Brasil!
Pra mim...
Deixa ... cantar de novo o trovador
A merencoria luz da lua
Toda a cano do meu amor
Quero ver a "s dona" caminhando
Pelos sales arrastando
O seu vestido rendado
Brasil!
Pra mim...
Pra mim...
Brasil!
Brasil!
Terra boa e gostosa
(A moreninha) Da morena sestrosa
De olhar (indiscreto) indiferente
Brasil, (verde) samba que d
(para o mundo se admir) Bamboleio que
Faz ging
O Brasil do meu amor
Terra de nosso Senhor
Brasil!
Pra mim...
Pra mim...
Pra mim...
esse coqueiro que d coco
Oi, onde amarro a minha rede
Nas noites claras de luar
Brasil!
Pra mim...
, (oi) ouve estas fontes murmurantes
Oi onde eu mato a minha sede
E onde a lua vem brincar
Oi, esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
o meu Brasil brasileiro
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Brasil!
Brasil!
Pra mim...
Pra mim...
The lyrics to Toquinho's song Aquarela do Brasil are a celebration of Brazil, with references to its geography, culture, and people. The repetition of "Brasil!" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's love for their country and their pride in being Brazilian. The first stanza introduces the samba rhythm, which is closely associated with Brazil, and describes the country as being full of movement and joy. The second stanza refers to the country's history and its Afro-Brazilian culture, with references to the "me preta" (black mother) and the "rei gongo" (king of the gong), which are both associated with Brazil's African heritage. The third stanza celebrates Brazil's natural beauty and includes references to coconut trees, clear nights, and murmuring fountains.
Line by Line Meaning
Brasil!
Celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of Brazil
Meu Brasil brasileiro
My Brazilian Brazil, emphasizing the singer's love and connection to the country
Meu mulato izoneiro
A reference to the mixed racial heritage of Brazil, specifically mentioning the mulatto population
Vou cantar-te nos meus versos
The artist plans to express their love for Brazil through their poetic verses
Brasil, samba que d
Brazil, a country that embodies the spirit of samba
Bamboleio, que faz ging
The upbeat rhythm and movement of samba that captivates people
Brasil, do meu amor
The singer's intense love for Brazil
Terra de nosso Senhor
Brazil is a land blessed and protected by God
Brasil!
Another joyful exclamation about Brazil
Brasil!
Repeating the excitement and passion for Brazil
Pra mim...
This is for me, indicating a strong personal attachment to Brazil
abre a cortina do passado
Inviting a glimpse into Brazil's past
Tira a me preta do serrado
Removing the stereotype of black women being from the rural hinterlands
Bota o rei gongo no congado
Celebrating the cultural and musical traditions of Brazil
Brasil!
Joyful exclamation of Brazil again
Pra mim...
Repeating the personal connection to Brazil
Deixa ... cantar de novo o trovador
Allowing the troubadour to sing his song again
A merencoria luz da lua
The melancholy light of the moon
Toda a cano do meu amor
All the songs about my love for Brazil
Quero ver a 's dona' caminhando
The desire to see elegant ladies walking
Pelos sales arrastando
Dragging their lace dresses along the floors of the salons
O seu vestido rendado
The ladies' delicate, lace dresses
Brasil!
Celebrating Brazil once again
Pra mim...
Reiterating the personal love for Brazil
Pra mim...
Emphasizing the significance of Brazil for the singer
Brasil!
Celebrating Brazil with excitement and enthusiasm
Terra boa e gostosa
A playful reference to Brazil as a good and enjoyable land
(A moreninha) Da morena sestrosa
The attractive brunette girl with an alluring figure
De olhar (indiscreto) indiferente
With a gaze that is both curious and indifferent
Brasil, (verde) samba que d
Brazil, a country that exudes energy and vibrancy through its love of samba music
(para o mundo se admir) Bamboleio que
A rhythmic movement of the body that is admired by the world
Faz ging
Expressing the joy and liveliness of the samba
O Brasil do meu amor
The Brazil that the artist deeply loves
Terra de nosso Senhor
Emphasizing the religious aspect of Brazil as a blessed land under God's watchful eye
Brasil!
Exclaiming Brazil's beauty and uniqueness again
Pra mim...
Reiterating the personal attachment to Brazil once more
Pra mim...
An expression of the singer's individual connection to Brazil
esse coqueiro que d coco
Pointing to the towering coconut tree that provides refreshing coconuts
Oi, onde amarro a minha rede
An expression of the singer's attachment to Brazil as this is where they hang their hammock
Nas noites claras de luar
Enjoying the clear nights under the moon's glow
Brasil!
Reminding the listener of Brazil's prominent beauty and importance
Pra mim...
Reiterating the personal significance of Brazil for the singer
, (oi) ouve estas fontes murmurantes
The singer draws attention to the gurgling fountains
Oi onde eu mato a minha sede
Drinking water from these fountains to quench his thirst
E onde a lua vem brincar
The moon also loves to play around in Brazil's fountains
Oi, esse Brasil lindo e trigueiro
This Brazil is beautiful and tawny
o meu Brasil brasileiro
Brazil, the country that truly belongs to the singer
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Another reference to the samba and the country's musical culture
Brasil!
Another enthusiastic exclamation about Brazil
Brasil!
Yet another joyful exclamation of Brazil's beauty and uniqueness
Pra mim...
The singer reiterates their personal love and attachment to Brazil
Pra mim...
The artist brings the lyrics to a close by reiterating the personal significance of Brazil.
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LeCommedieDellArte
Maravilha pura !!! :)
Patricia Recce
parabens esta maravilhoso e muito brasileiro👌👍 eu nunca vi aquarela tao bonita
Anna Clara
Que música maravilhosaaaaaaaaaa❤😍
Raiany Fernandes
Genteeeeeeeeeee, como eu amo...
Serena De Oliveira
Ele canta muito bem
Ikeda 25
Ótimo
ledenilton rodrigues batista
música Boa com letra de verdade
Claudia Giménez
siento que estoy allá, mirando esto horizonte infinito. Te amo Brasil, moriré enamorada de tu suelo.
José Alberto Monk
Después de Joao Gilberto, Toquinho los mejores. Honores!!
Gabriele Guidi
Toquinho💚💛