Fado português – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Amália Rodrigues
• Album: Edições Valentim de Carvalho

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the heart of Portuguese culture through Amália Rodrigues's iconic song, 'Fado português.' This is more than just a song; it's a story about the soul of a nation, expressed through the hauntingly beautiful genre of Fado. By listening, you can learn to feel the meaning of 'saudade,' a unique Portuguese expression of longing and melancholy. The poetic lyrics offer a beautiful entry point into the Portuguese language, teaching you not just words, but the deep emotions and history that they carry. 'Fado português' is special because it defines a genre while being a masterpiece within it, a perfect first step into the rich world of Portuguese music and feeling.

[English]

Fado was born one day

When the wind barely stirred

And the sky extended the sea

On the railing of a sailboat

In the heart of a sailor

Who, being sad, sang

Who, being sad, sang

Oh, what great beauty

My land, my mountain, my valley

Of leaves, flowers, fruits of gold

See if you see lands of Spain

Sands of Portugal

A tearful blind gaze

In the mouth of a sailor

Of the fragile sailing boat

Dying the wounded song

Says the pangs of desires

From the lips burning with kisses

That kisses the air, and nothing more

That kisses the air, and nothing more

Mother, farewell; goodbye, Maria

Keep well in your mind

That here I make a vow to you

That either I take you to the sacristy

Or it was God who was pleased

To give me a grave in the sea

Now here comes another day

When the wind didn't stir

And the sky extended the sea

At the bow of another sailboat

Another sailor was watching

Who, being sad, sang

Who, being sad, sang

Oh, what great beauty

My land, my mountain, my valley

Of leaves, flowers, fruits of gold

See if you see lands of Spain

Sands of Portugal

A tearful blind gaze

...

[Portuguese]

O Fado nasceu um dia

Quando o vento mal bulia

E o céu o mar prolongava

Na amurada dum veleiro

No peito dum marinheiro

Que, estando triste, cantava

Que, estando triste, cantava

Ai, que lindeza tamanha

Meu chão, meu monte, meu vale

De folhas, flores, frutas de oiro

Vê se vês terras de Espanha

Areias de Portugal

Olhar ceguinho de choro

Na boca dum marinheiro

Do frágil barco veleiro

Morrendo a canção magoada

Diz o pungir dos desejos

Do lábio a queimar de beijos

Que beija o ar, e mais nada

Que beija o ar, e mais nada

Mãe, adeus; adeus, Maria

Guarda bem no teu sentido

Que aqui te faço uma jura

Que ou te levo à sacristia

Ou foi Deus que foi servido

Dar-me no mar sepultura

Ora eis que embora outro dia

Quando o vento nem bulia

E o céu o mar prolongava

À proa d'outro veleiro

Velava outro marinheiro

Que, estando triste, cantava

Que, estando triste, cantava

Ai, que lindeza tamanha

Meu chão, meu monte, meu vale

De folhas, flores, frutas de oiro

Vê se vês terras de Espanha

Areias de Portugal

Olhar ceguinho de choro

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
fado /ˈfadu/ B2	noun - a style of Portuguese singing characterized by expressive and soulful performance
nasceu /nɐˈseʃtu/ B1	verb - he/she/it was born
vento /ˈvẽtu/ A2	noun - wind
mar /maɾ/ A2	noun - sea
céu /sɛʊ/ A2	noun - sky
maravilha /mɐɾaviˈʎɐ/ B2	noun - wonder, marvel
amurada /ɐmuˈɾaðɐ/ C1	noun - bulwark, railing, edge of a ship
marinheiro /mɐɾiˈɲɐjɾu/ B1	noun - sailor
triste /ˈtɾiʃt(ɨ)/ A2	adjective - sad, sorrowful
cantar /kɐ̃ˈtaɾ/ A2	verb - to sing
lindeza /lĩˈdeza/ C1	noun - beauty, loveliness
chão /ʃɐ̃w/ B2	noun - ground, floor
montes /ˈmõtɨʃ/ B2	noun - mountains
vale /ˈvalɨ/ B1	noun - valley
folhas /ˈfɔʎʃɐʃ/ B2	noun - leaves
flores /ˈfloɾɨʃ/ A2	noun - flowers
frutas /ˈfɾutɐʃ/ A2	noun - fruits