Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: samba
Song Meaning of “Folha Desabada” by Jorginho do Império
Folha Desabada is a song released in 1961 by Jorginho do Império, a Brazilian composer and singer. It tells the story of a broken-hearted man reflecting on his sorrows and trying to understand why his love had to end in such a tragic way. Through vivid imagery of a fallen leaf, the protagonist of the song draws a parallel between his own inner feelings and the lifeless tree branch in the middle of winter.
The song begins with the narrator talking about his pain, describing the moments when the “moonlight illuminated the lonely branch” and emphasizing how empty he feels now that his love has passed away. By comparing himself to the lifeless leaf on the ground, he starts to ponder the futility of life and of love, noting that nothing lasts forever and how the strength of his feelings can so easily be gone. He regrets not cherishing the moments of joy he experienced when his beloved was still in his life and also wonders why he ever was to be so unlucky.
The protagonist ends the song with an acceptance of the fact that life can be fleeting and unpredictable, and that being able to smile even in moments of pain is the only way to survive. He affirms that he will eventually walk away and “leave his leaf desabada”, which in this context means to find the courage to start anew and carry on with his life with hope in his heart.