Lamento No Morro
Tom Jobim
A Heart's Lament in the Hills: The Poignant Yearning of 'Lamento No Morro'
Tom Jobim's 'Lamento No Morro' is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the essence of longing and unfulfilled love. The lyrics, though brief, are rich with emotion and imagery, painting a vivid picture of a lover's sorrow. The song opens with the singer expressing an inability to forget the gaze of a loved one, a gaze that is now distant. This sets the tone for the entire piece, highlighting the pain of separation and the lingering memories that haunt the singer's thoughts.
The second stanza delves deeper into the theme of waiting and the inevitability of saying goodbye. The singer's life is depicted as a continuous state of anticipation, waiting for the moment to bid farewell to the beloved. This sense of waiting is not just a physical act but an emotional state that defines the singer's existence. The use of the word 'viver' (to live) emphasizes that this waiting is not just a part of life but life itself for the singer.
The final lines of the song bring a sense of resignation and acceptance. The singer refers to the beloved as 'mulher amada' (beloved woman) and 'destino meu' (my destiny), acknowledging that this love, though painful, is an integral part of their fate. The imagery of dawn and the dew running from the singer's eyes suggests tears and a night spent in sorrow. This poignant ending encapsulates the essence of 'Lamento No Morro'—a heartfelt lament for a love that is both cherished and mourned.