A Felicidade

Astrud Gilberto's song 'A Felicidade' delves into the ephemeral nature of happiness and the enduring presence of sadness. The lyrics poignantly open with the line 'Tristeza não tem fim, Felicidade sim,' which translates to 'Sadness has no end, Happiness does.' This sets the tone for the entire song, emphasizing the transient quality of joy compared to the seemingly perpetual state of sorrow.

The song uses vivid metaphors to illustrate this concept. Happiness is likened to a feather carried by the wind, light and airy but with a brief existence, dependent on the constant movement of the wind to stay aloft. This metaphor suggests that happiness is delicate and requires continuous effort or favorable conditions to be sustained. Similarly, happiness is compared to a dewdrop on a flower petal, which shines momentarily before falling like a tear. This imagery reinforces the idea that happiness is fleeting and can easily be disrupted.

'A Felicidade' also touches on the socio-economic realities of the poor, comparing their happiness to the illusion of Carnival. The lyrics describe how people work all year for a brief moment of joy during the festival, only for it to end abruptly on Ash Wednesday. This metaphor highlights the temporary escape that happiness provides from the hardships of daily life. The song concludes with a personal note, where the singer finds happiness in the eyes of their beloved, but even this is portrayed as transient, like the night passing into dawn. The plea to speak softly so as not to disturb this fragile happiness underscores its delicate and temporary nature.

Through its poetic lyrics and evocative metaphors, 'A Felicidade' offers a profound reflection on the nature of happiness and its elusive, transient quality, contrasting it with the enduring presence of sadness in human experience.