Abre Alas

Ivan Lins' song 'Abre Alas' is a vibrant call to embrace joy and authenticity in life. The phrase 'Abre alas' translates to 'make way,' and in the context of the song, it signifies making room for celebration and personal expression. The repeated lines 'Já está chegando a hora' ('the time is coming') emphasize the urgency and inevitability of this joyous moment. Lins encourages listeners to open up to their own 'folia' (festivity) and 'bandeira' (flag), symbols of personal identity and happiness.

The lyrics also delve into the complexities of life and the pressures that can stifle one's true self. Lines like 'Apare os teus sonhos que a vida tem dono' ('Trim your dreams because life has an owner') suggest that societal expectations and responsibilities often demand conformity, leading to a life that 'não era assim' ('was not like this'). This sentiment is echoed in the caution against fleeting happiness: 'Não corra o risco de ficar alegre pra nunca chorar' ('Don't risk being happy to never cry'). Lins is highlighting the paradox of avoiding pain by also avoiding true joy, urging a return to a more genuine way of living.

The song also touches on the importance of privacy and introspection. 'Encoste essa porta que a nossa conversa não pode vazar' ('Close that door because our conversation cannot leak') suggests that some aspects of our lives and thoughts are sacred and should be protected from external judgment. The imagery of 'Bandeira arriada, folia guardada' ('flag lowered, festivity stored away') serves as a metaphor for suppressed identity and joy, reinforcing the idea that life 'não era assim' ('was not like this'). Lins is advocating for a reclaiming of one's true self and the celebration of life in its fullest form.