Ontem Ao Luar

Marisa Monte's song 'Ontem Ao Luar' is a poignant exploration of the complexities and depths of passionate love. The lyrics, rich with metaphors and vivid imagery, delve into the ineffable nature of love's pain. The song begins with a serene yet melancholic scene under the moonlight, where the narrator is asked to explain the pain of passion. Instead of providing a direct answer, the narrator points to the moon, symbolizing the elusive and mysterious nature of such emotions.

The song continues to explore the idea that the pain of passion cannot be easily defined or explained. The narrator suggests that one must experience suffering to truly understand the depth of passionate love. This is illustrated through the imagery of a tear falling while gazing at the moon, a silent yet powerful response to the question posed. The moon and the sea are recurring motifs, representing the vast, uncontrollable, and often inexplicable nature of love and its accompanying pain.

In the latter part of the song, the narrator invites the listener to seek answers from the natural world—the moon, the sea, and the silence of the night. These elements are portrayed as witnesses to the universal and timeless pain of love. The song concludes with a profound reflection on the ultimate sorrow, the 'dor de Deus' (pain of God), suggesting that the pain of passion is a fundamental and divine aspect of human existence. The narrator's heart, described as a 'rósea flor' (rosy flower), symbolizes the delicate yet intense nature of love, which ultimately leads to despair and longing.