A Flor e o Espinho

Nelson Cavaquinho's song "A Flor e o Espinho" is a poignant exploration of love, heartbreak, and the inevitable transformation of relationships. The lyrics are steeped in metaphor, using the imagery of a flower and a thorn to represent the contrasting states of affection and pain. The opening lines, "Tire o seu sorriso do caminho / Que eu quero passar com a minha dor," set the tone for the song, indicating a desire to move past a painful chapter without the interference of a once-cherished smile. This suggests a deep emotional wound that the speaker wishes to navigate alone.

The metaphor of the thorn and the flower is central to the song's narrative. The speaker acknowledges that they were once a 'flower' in the other person's life, symbolizing beauty and love. However, they now see themselves as a 'thorn,' representing pain and hurt. The line "Espinho não machuca a flor" implies that while the thorn (the speaker) may not harm the flower (the other person), the relationship has nonetheless become strained and painful. This shift from flower to thorn encapsulates the transformation from love to sorrow, a common theme in Cavaquinho's work, which often delves into the complexities of human emotions.

The song also touches on the idea of incompatibility, as illustrated by the line "O sol não pode viver perto da lua." This celestial metaphor suggests that some relationships are doomed by their very nature, as the sun and the moon cannot coexist in the same space. The reflection in the mirror, where the speaker sees their sorrow and tear-filled eyes, further emphasizes the depth of their emotional turmoil. In essence, "A Flor e o Espinho" is a melancholic yet beautiful portrayal of the duality of love and pain, capturing the essence of a relationship that has transitioned from joy to sorrow.