“Alma” (Zélia Duncan, 2002)
On her 60th birthday, a translation of the song “Alma” (“Soul”) from Zélia Duncan’s 2002 album of the same name. Written by Arnaldo Antunes and Pepeu Gomes, here’s a translation of what the website letras.mus.br had to say about this simultaneously simple and deep song: “The song 'Alma,' as interpreted by Zélia Duncan, is a composition that explores the depth and transparency of the human soul, using poetic and metaphoric language to describe the essence of being. The repetition of the word ‘surface’ throughout the song suggests a search for something that is beyond the visible, the palpable, an attempt to reach and understand the true nature of the soul. The lyrics invite the listener to leave aside the fears and worries that often bind us to the superficiality of existence. Through phrases like “Let me see your soul” and “Let me touch your soul” the song proposes an intimate and sincere connection in which it is possible to release the external layers that limit us. The idea of “opening the valve” and letting the “soul capsule” float leads to releasing emotional and psychological barriers, allowing the soul to show itself in its purest and freest form. Zélia Duncan [offers] a reflection on the lightness and peace that can be found when we allow ourselves to be true and vulnerable. The song is an invitation to introspection and self-knowledge, suggesting that, by divesting ourselves of insecurities and opening ourselves to the world, we can find the serenity and the simplicity that reside in the ‘surface’ of the soul.”
Alma
Alma, deixa eu ver sua alma
A epiderme da alma, superfície
Alma, deixa eu tocar sua alma
Com a superfície da palma da minha mão, superfície
Easy, fique bem easy, fique sem nem razão
Da superfície livre
Fique sim, livre
Fique bem com razão ou não, aterrize
Alma, isso do medo se acalma
Isso de sede se aplaca
Todo pesar não existe
Alma, como um reflexo na água
Sobre a última camada
Que fica na superfície
Crise
Já acabou, livre
Já passou o meu temor do seu medo
Sem motivo
Riso
De manhã, riso de neném
A água já molhou a superfície
Alma, daqui do lado de fora
Nenhuma forma de trauma sobrevive
Abra a sua válvula agora, a sua cápsula alma
Flutua na superfície
Lisa
Que me alisa, seu suor
O sal que sai do sol da superfície
Simples, devagar, simples
Bem de leve a alma já pousou na superfície
Alma, deixa eu ver sua alma
A epiderme da alma, superfície
Alma, deixa eu tocar sua alma
Com a superfície da palma da minha mão, superfície
Alma, deixa eu ver
Deixa eu tocar (alma)
Deixa eu ver
Deixa eu tocar (alma)
Superfície (alma)
Deixa eu ver sua alma
Alma
Soul
Soul, let me see your soul
The skin of the soul, surface
Soul, let me touch your soul
With the surface of the palm of my hand, surface
Easy, take it real easy, go without even reason
From the free surface
Be yes, free
Be well with reason or not, come to earth
Soul, that fear calms down
That thirst is slaked
All regrets don’t exist
Soul, like a reflection in the water
On the last layer
That lies on the surface
Crisis
It’s already over, free
My fear about your fear has already passed
For no reason
Laughter
In the morning, a baby’s laughter
Water has already wet the surface
Soul, here from the outside
No form of trauma survives
Open your valve now, your soul capsule
Float on the surface
Smooth
That smooths me, your sweat
The salt out of the sun on the surface
Simple, slow, simple
Very lightly the soul has landed on the surface
Soul, let me see your soul
The skin of the soul, surface
Soul, let me touch your soul
With the surface of the palm of my hand, surface
Soul, let me see
Let me touch (soul)
Let me see
Let me touch (soul)
Surface (soul)
Let me see your soul
Soul