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.
Na Cancela
Toquinho Lyrics
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Chorei, esperando por ela, chorei
Cansei, ai, cansei
Cansei, escorando a cancela, cansei
Não há lugar melhor pra chorar
Do que cancela, quando não vem trem
Não há lugar melhor pra chorar
The lyrics of Toquinho's song "Na Cancela" speak of the emotional pain of waiting and the solitude which comes with it. The songwriter expresses his sadness by repeatedly mentioning that he cried and also expresses the exhaustion that comes from waiting for his beloved. The songwriter states that he wants to give up and take a break by resting on the gate. He claims that he has endured so much that he has grown tired and wants to stop trying.
However, despite all this pain and sorrow, the songwriter believes that there is no place better to cry than leaning against a gate. He finds comfort in the idea that someone who loves him will understand and comfort him in his time of need.
Overall, the song speaks to the emotional turmoil and loneliness that can come with waiting for someone you love, while also highlighting the comfort that can be found in someone's love and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Chorei, ai, chorei
I wept, yes, I wept
Chorei, esperando por ela, chorei
I wept while waiting for her, yes, I wept
Cansei, ai, cansei
I got tired, yes, I got tired
Cansei, escorando a cancela, cansei
I got tired leaning on the gate, yes, I got tired
Não há lugar melhor pra chorar
There is no better place to cry
Do que cancela, quando não vem trem
Than the gate, when the train doesn't come
Não há lugar melhor pra chorar
There is no better place to cry
Do que o colo de quem se quer bem
Than in the arms of the one you love
Contributed by Matthew O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.