Andorinhas – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Ana Moura
• Album: Casa Guilhermina

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the rich symbolism and emotive power of 'Andorinhas' by Ana Moura, a song that beautifully blends Portuguese tradition with a modern desire for freedom. Through the metaphor of swallows, learn about Portuguese culture and the pursuit of personal and artistic independence, all while enjoying the captivating sounds of Fado music.

[English]

I spend my days in long queues

In villages, towns and cities

Swallows are the true queens

Flying the paths of freedom

I want to lift my feet off the ground

I want to fly away from here and leave by plane

And just return one day

I'll put my suitcase in the trunk

Savor spring while waiting at the station

One day a swallow said

Daughter, the world keeps turning, use the breeze to your advantage

Life tells lies

But the sun warns before it sets

...

I want to lift my feet off the ground

I want to fly away from here and leave by plane

And just return one day

I'll put my suitcase in the trunk

Savor spring while waiting at the station

My mother used to say

Spread your wings, turn your back

Be strong, head toward the sea

Climb the slopes, place your bets

On luck, not on misfortune

...

[Portuguese]

Passo os meus dias em longas filas

Em aldeias, vilas e cidades

As andorinhas é que são rainhas

A voar as linhas da liberdade

Eu quero tirar os pés do chão

Quero voar daqui p'ra fora e ir embora de avião

E só voltar um dia

Vou pôr a mala no porão

Saborear a primavera numa espera e na estação

Um dia disse uma andorinha

Filha, o mundo gira, usa a brisa a teu favor

A vida diz mentiras

Mas o sol avisa antes de se pôr

Eu quero tirar os pés do chão

Quero voar daqui p'ra fora e ir embora de avião

E só voltar um dia

Vou pôr a mala no porão

Saborear a primavera numa espera e na estação

Já a minha mãe dizia

Solta as asas, volta as costas

Sê forte, avança p'ra o mar

Sobe encostas, faz apostas

Na sorte e não no azar

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
andorinha /ɐ̃.doˈɾi.ɲɐ/ B1	noun - swallow (bird)
voar /voˈaɾ/ A2	verb - to fly
liberdade /li.beɾˈda.dʒi/ B1	noun - freedom
pés /pɛs/ A1	noun - feet
chão /ʃɐ̃w̃/ A1	noun - ground, floor
avião /a.viˈɐ̃w̃/ A2	noun - airplane
mala /ˈma.lɐ/ A2	noun - suitcase, bag
porão /poˈɾɐ̃w̃/ B1	noun - basement, cellar
primavera /pɾi.maˈve.ɾa/ B1	noun - spring (season)
espera /esˈpe.ɾa/ B1	noun - wait, expectation
estação /is.taˈsɐ̃w̃/ B1	noun - station; season
brisa /ˈbɾi.za/ B2	noun - breeze
sol /sɔɫ/ A1	noun - sun
vida /ˈvi.dɐ/ A1	noun - life
mentira /meˈti.ɾɐ/ A2	noun - lie (falsehood)
sorte /ˈsoɾ.tɨ/ B1	noun - luck
azar /aˈzaɾ/ B2	noun - bad luck, misfortune
forte /ˈfɔɾ.tɨ/ A2	adjective - strong