Méditation
vo. Joao Lyrics

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Quem acreditou
No amor, no sorriso, na flor
Então sonhou, sonhou
E perdeu a paz
O amor, o sorriso e a flor
Se transformam depressa demais
Quem no coração
Abrigou a tristeza de ver

Tudo isso se perder

E na solidão
Procurou um caminho e seguiu
Já descrente de um dia feliz
Quem chorou, chorou
E tanto que seu pranto já secou
Quem depois voltou
Ao amor, ao sorriso e à flor
Então tudo encontrou
Pois a própria dor
Revelou o caminho do amor
E a tristeza acabou

Quem acreditou
No amor, no sorriso, na flor
Então sonhou, sonhou
E perdeu a paz
O amor, o sorriso e a flor
Se transformam depressa demais
Quem no coração
Abrigou a tristeza de ver
Tudo isso se perder

E na solidão
Procurou um caminho e seguiu
Já descrente de um dia feliz
Quem chorou, chorou
E tanto que seu pranto já secou
Quem depois voltou
Ao amor, ao sorriso e à flor
Então tudo encontrou
Pois a própria dor

Revelou o caminho do amor
E a tristeza acabou

Overall Meaning

"Meditation," or "Meditação" in Portuguese, is a song written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Newton Mendonça, with English lyrics added by Norman Gimbel. The song is famously known for its soothing melody and hopeful lyrics that speak to the transformative power of love, happiness, and self-reflection. The lyrics convey a message of encouragement for those who have lost their way or become disheartened in their pursuit of love and happiness.

The song opens with the lines "Quem acreditou/ No amor, no sorriso, na flor/ Então sonhou, sonhou/ E perdeu a paz" which translate to "Whoever believed/ In love, in smiling, in flowers/ Then they dreamed, dreamed/ And lost their peace." These lyrics acknowledge the vulnerability and risk that comes with opening oneself up to the possibility of love and happiness. The following lines, "O amor, o sorriso e a flor/ Se transformam depressa demais" which translate to "Love, smiling, and flowers/They change too quickly" further highlight the ephemeral nature of these fleeting moments of joy.

The second half of the song offers a message of hope to those who have suffered heartache and disappointment in their pursuit of love and happiness. The lyrics suggest that by embracing one's pain and loneliness, we can find a path forward towards love and fulfillment. The lines "E na solidão/ Procurou um caminho e seguiu/ Já descrente de um dia feliz" which translate to "And in solitude/ They searched for a path and followed/ Already disbelieving in a happy day" speak to the importance of self-reflection and perseverance in the face of adversity. The final lines "Pois a própria dor/ Revelou o caminho do amor/ E a tristeza acabou" which translate to "Because their own pain/ Revealed the path of love/ And the sadness ended" suggest that by embracing our own pain and vulnerability, we can become more open and receptive to love and joy.

Line by Line Meaning

Quem acreditou
Those who believed

No amor, no sorriso, na flor
In love, in smiles, in flowers

Então sonhou, sonhou
Then dreamed, dreamed

E perdeu a paz
And lost peace

O amor, o sorriso e a flor
Love, smiles, and flowers

Se transformam depressa demais
Change too quickly

Quem no coração
Those who in their hearts

Abrigou a tristeza de ver
Harbored the sadness of seeing

Tudo isso se perder
All of it go to waste

E na solidão
And in solitude

Procurou um caminho e seguiu
Looked for a path and followed it