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.
Valsa para uma menininha
Toquinho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eu só quero você
A três palmos do chão
Menininha, não cresça mais não
Fique pequenininha na minha canção
Senhorinha levada
Batendo palminha
Do bicho papão
Menininha, que graça é você
Uma coisinha assim
Começando a viver
Fique assim, meu amor, sem crescer
Porque o mundo é ruim
É ruim, e você
Vai sofrer de repente
Uma desilusão
Porque a vida somente
Seu bicho papão (papão)
Fique assim, fique assim, sempre assim (fique assim, fique assim, sempre assim)
E se lembre de mim (e se lembre de mim)
Pelas coisas que eu dei (pelas coisas que eu dei)
E também não se esqueça de mim
Quando você souber enfim de tudo o que eu amei
(I-i-riri)
The lyrics to Toquinho & Vicícius's song Valsa para uma Menininha are a loving tribute to a little girl whom the singer cares for deeply. The opening lines set the tone and express the singer's desire to be close to the little girl, who is described as "Menininha do meu coração" - the little girl of his heart. He expresses his wish for her to remain small, "A três palmos do chão", and not to grow up too fast. There is a sense of protectiveness, which is reinforced when he describes her as a "Senhorinha levada", a playful young lady. She is full of innocence, but is still capable of pretending to be scared of the "bicho papão".
The song's chorus repeats the message of wanting the little girl to remain a child, in her pure and innocent state and not grow up too quickly, for fear of experiencing the pain and disappointment that life inevitably brings. The singer implores her to hold onto the innocence and happiness of youth, "Fique assim, meu amor, sem crescer". He encourages her to remember him and the things he gave her when she grows up, and if she ever faces hardship or loss. The song ends with a playful "I-i-riri", which reinforces the lighthearted tone of the song and captures the playful spirit of the little girl.
Line by Line Meaning
Menininha do meu coração
This song is an ode to a little girl that the singer loves dearly.
Eu só quero você
All the singer wants is for the little girl to be happy and safe.
A três palmos do chão
The little girl is still very young and small, just a few feet tall.
Menininha, não cresça mais não
Don't grow up too fast, little girl!
Fique pequenininha na minha canção
Stay small and innocent in the singer's heart and his song.
Senhorinha levada
The little girl is full of life and energy.
Batendo palminha
She's clapping her hands, enjoying the music and having fun.
Fingindo assustada
She's pretending to be scared of the 'bicho papão,' a Brazilian mythological monster.
Do bicho papão
This monster is a symbol of the scary things in life, things that can hurt or scare us.
Menininha, que graça é você
The singer is amazed by how lovely and cute the little girl is.
Uma coisinha assim
She's just a tiny little thing, but she's already starting to explore the world.
Começando a viver
The little girl is at the beginning of her journey through life.
Fique assim, meu amor, sem crescer
The singer wishes that the little girl would stay small and innocent forever.
Porque o mundo é ruim
The world can be a dangerous and difficult place, full of uncertainty and sadness.
É ruim, e você
The singer is worried that the little girl will experience pain and disappointment as she grows up.
Vai sofrer de repente
She might suffer suddenly and without warning.
Uma desilusão
She might be disappointed by the harsh realities of life.
Porque a vida somente
Life can be hard and unforgiving, and there are no guarantees or easy answers.
Seu bicho papão (papão)
The 'bicho papão' is a metaphor for all the scary and difficult things she might encounter in life.
Fique assim, fique assim, sempre assim (fique assim, fique assim, sempre assim)
Stay as sweet and innocent as you are now, always.
E se lembre de mim (e se lembre de mim)
Remember me and the good times we had together.
Pelas coisas que eu dei (pelas coisas que eu dei)
Remember the things I gave you, the lessons I taught you, and the love I had for you.
E também não se esqueça de mim
Don't forget about me when you grow up and move on with your life.
Quando você souber enfim de tudo o que eu amei
When you finally understand all the things I loved and cared about in life.
(I-i-riri)
This is the sound of the music playing, adding a touch of joy and playfulness to the song.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Antonio Pecci Filho, Marcus Vinicius Da Cruz De M. Moraes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
suzana r
Minha mãe cantava essa música pra eu dormir e em qualquer outra ocasião. ❤️
Agatha M
minha tia dedicou está música para mim… memória eterna em meu coração ❤️
Dan Barroso
Essa música faz parte da minha vida!
Rosane Avellar
Lindo demais!!!!❤️
Luanna Vieira Soares
Música mais linda, meu Deus
ulisses silva
Vida eterna, Toco!
Sergio junior
Meu deus,que pancada
Maria Aparecida Alves
M aria Ap.Palacio Alves. OK?