Lisboa Menina e Moça – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Carlos do Carmo

Lyrics & Translation

Learning Portuguese through 'Lisboa Menina e Moça' offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the poetic soul of Lisbon. The song's beautiful and descriptive lyrics, which personify the city and its landmarks, can help you learn evocative vocabulary and understand the deep cultural significance of Fado. Its timeless melody and heartfelt delivery by the legendary Carlos do Carmo make it a special and enduring piece of Portuguese musical heritage.

[English]

In the Castle, I put an elbow

In Alfama, I rest my gaze

And so I unravel the ball

Of blue and sea

At Ribeira I rest my head

The pillow of the Tagus' bed

With sheets embroidered in haste

In the cambric of a kiss

Lisbon, girl and maiden, girl

Of the light that my eyes see so pure

Your breasts are the hills, fishwife

Cry that brings me tenderness to the door

City embroidered with a point of light

Towel spread by the sea

Lisbon, girl and maiden, beloved

City, woman of my life

In Terreiro, I pass by you

But from Graça, I see you naked

When a pigeon looks at you, smiles

You are a woman of the street

And in the highest neighborhood of dream

I put the fado I knew how to invent

Brandy of life and arbutus

That makes me sing

Lisbon, girl and maiden, girl

Of the light that my eyes see so pure

Your breasts are the hills, fishwife

Cry that brings me tenderness to the door

City embroidered with a point of light

Towel spread by the sea

Lisbon, girl and maiden, beloved

City, woman of my life

Lisbon in my love, lying down

City undressed by my hands

Lisbon, girl and maiden, beloved

City, woman of my life

...

[Portuguese]

No Castelo, ponho um cotovelo

Em Alfama, descanso o olhar

E assim desfaço o novelo

De azul e mar

À Ribeira encosto a cabeça

A almofada da cama do Tejo

Com lençóis bordados à pressa

Na cambraia de um beijo

Lisboa, menina e moça, menina

Da luz que os meus olhos veem tão pura

Teus seios são as colinas, varina

Pregão que me traz à porta, ternura

Cidade a ponto luz bordada

Toalha à beira-mar estendida

Lisboa, menina e moça, amada

Cidade, mulher da minha vida

No Terreiro, eu passo por ti

Mas da Graça, eu vejo-te nua

Quando um pombo te olha, sorri

És mulher da rua

E no bairro mais alto do sonho

Ponho o fado que soube inventar

Aguardente de vida e medronho

Que me faz cantar

Lisboa, menina e moça, menina

Da luz que os meus olhos veem tão pura

Teus seios são as colinas, varina

Pregão que me traz à porta, ternura

Cidade a ponto luz bordada

Toalha à beira-mar estendida

Lisboa, menina e moça, amada

Cidade, mulher da minha vida

Lisboa no meu amor, deitada

Cidade por minhas mãos despida

Lisboa, menina e moça, amada

Cidade, mulher da minha vida

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
castelo /kɐˈʃtɛlu/ A2	noun - castle
ponho /ˈpõju/ B1	verb - I put/place
cotovelo /kotuˈvɛlu/ A2	noun - elbow
descanso /deˈzɐ̃su/ A2	noun - rest
olhar /ɔˈʎaɾ/ A2	noun - look / gaze verb - to look / to gaze
mar /maɾ/ A1	noun - sea
luz /luʃ/ A2	noun - light
olhos /ˈoʎus/ A2	noun (plural) - eyes
colinas /koliˈnɐʃ/ B1	noun (plural) - hills
pregão /pɾeˈɡɐ̃w̃/ B2	noun - market call / auction call / street vendor’s call
cadeia /kɐˈdɐjɐ/ C1	noun - chain / series
cidade /siˈdɐdɨ/ A2	noun - city
moça /ˈmɔsɐ/ A2	noun - young woman / girl
luz /luʃ/ A2	noun - light
olhos /ˈoʎus/ A2	noun (plural) - eyes
teus /tɛws/ A2	pronoun (possessive) - your (plural or formal)
cidade /siˈdɐdɨ/ A2	noun - city

Key Grammar Structures

• No Castelo, ponho um cotovelo

  ➔ Present tense for habitual actions.

  ➔ The phrase uses the present tense to indicate a habitual action, as in "I put my elbow on the table."

• Lisboa, menina e moça, amada

  ➔ Use of adjectives to describe nouns.

  ➔ The phrase uses adjectives "menina" and "amada" to describe "Lisboa," enhancing the emotional connection.

• Teus seios são as colinas, varina

  ➔ Use of metaphorical language.

  ➔ The line uses a metaphor comparing "seios" (breasts) to "colinas" (hills), creating a vivid image.

• Cidade, mulher da minha vida

  ➔ Use of possessive constructions.

  ➔ The phrase uses the possessive "da minha vida" to express a deep connection to the city.

• Aguardente de vida e medronho

  ➔ Use of compound nouns.

  ➔ The phrase combines two nouns "aguardente" (brandy) and "medronho" (a type of fruit) to create a new meaning.

• Quando um pombo te olha, sorri

  ➔ Use of subordinate clauses.

  ➔ The phrase contains a subordinate clause "Quando um pombo te olha" that provides context for the main action.

• E assim desfaço o novelo

  ➔ Use of conjunctions to connect ideas.

  ➔ The conjunction "E" (And) connects this line to the previous thought, indicating a continuation.