Canoas do Tejo – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Carlos do Carmo, Grupo Coral Casa Povo Serpa

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a journey into its soul, and 'Canoas do Tejo' is a perfect vessel for discovering the poetic heart of European Portuguese. Through its beautiful and melancholic lyrics, you can learn vocabulary related to the sea, nature, and the city of Lisbon. What makes this Fado special is its ability to convey deep emotions and cultural identity through the powerful imagery of the Tagus River, offering a unique window into the Portuguese experience of 'saudade' (a feeling of longing and nostalgia).

[English]

Sailed canoe raised high

Coming from Ribeira Pier

Seagull, lost and wandering

Without a partner near

The wind blows on the cliffs

The Sun looks like a strawberry

And the Tejo dances with the waves

Practicing a fandango

Canoe

You know it well

When the north blows at the bow

How many docks does Lisbon have

And the walls it holds

Canoe

Where are you going?

If any boat hits you

You’ll never return to the quay

Never, never, never again

Vela panda canoe

Coming from the mouth of the bar

And bringing in the gentle breeze

Moans of a guitar

Your helmsman caught the sail

And if he fell asleep, leave him be

Now, be very careful

Don’t let the sea wake him

Canoe

You know it well

When the north blows at the bow

How many docks does Lisbon have

And the walls it holds

Canoe

Where are you going?

If any boat hits you

You’ll never return to the quay

Never, never, never again

As my grandfather used to say, "The Alentejans are good singers!"

Now everyone

You and them

Shall we go?

Canoe

All of you

You know it well

When the north blows at the bow

How many docks does Lisbon have

And the walls it holds

Canoe

Where are you going?

If any boat hits you

You’ll never return to the quay

Never, never, never again

Serpa, good night, a kiss. Thank you.

[Portuguese]

Canoa de vela erguida

Que vens do Cais da Ribeira

Gaivota, que andas perdida

Sem encontrar companheira

O vento sopra nas fragas

O Sol parece um morango

E o Tejo baila com as vagas

A ensaiar um fandango

Canoa

Conheces bem

Quando há norte pela proa

Quantas docas tem Lisboa

E as muralhas que ela tem

Canoa

Por onde vais?

Se algum barco te abalroa

Nunca mais voltas ao cais

Nunca, nunca, nunca mais

Canoa de vela panda

Que vens da boca da barra

E trazes na aragem branda

Gemidos de uma guitarra

Teu arrais prendeu a vela

E se adormeceu, deixa-lo

Agora muita cautela

Não vá o mar acordá-lo

Canoa

Conheces bem

Quando há norte pela proa

Quantas docas tem Lisboa

E as muralhas que ela tem

Canoa

Por onde vais?

Se algum barco te abalroa

Nunca mais voltas ao cais

Nunca, nunca, nunca mais

Como dizia o meu avô " Alentejanos do cabrão que cantam bem! "

Agora todos

Eles e vocês

Vamos a isso?

Canoa

Todos

Conheces bem

Quando há norte pela proa

Quantas docas tem Lisboa

E as muralhas que ela tem

Canoa

Por onde vais?

Se algum barco te abalroa

Nunca mais voltas ao cais

Nunca, nunca, nunca mais

Serpa, boa noite, um beijo. Obrigado.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
canoa /kaˈnoɐ/ A1	noun - canoe
vela /ˈvɛlɐ/ A1	noun - sail
vento /ˈvẽtu/ A1	noun - wind
sol /sɔl/ A1	noun - sun
barco /ˈbaʁku/ A1	noun - boat
cais /kaɪs/ A2	noun - dock
companheira /kõpɐˈɲeɾɐ/ B1	noun - companion
muralhas /muˈɾaʎɐs/ B2	noun - walls
guitarra /ɡiˈtaʁɐ/ A1	noun - guitar
aragem /aˈɾaʒɐ̃/ B2	noun - breeze
cautela /kawˈtɛlɐ/ B2	noun - caution
norte /ˈnɔʁtɨ/ A1	noun - north
proa /ˈpɾoɐ/ B2	noun - bow (of a ship)
fragás /fɾaˈɡaʃ/ C1	noun - cliffs
fandango /fɐ̃ˈdɐ̃ɡu/ C2	noun - a lively Spanish dance

Key Grammar Structures

• Canoa de vela erguida

  ➔ Noun phrase with an adjective.

  ➔ The phrase "Canoa de vela" describes a type of canoe, where "erguida" is an adjective that adds detail.

• O vento sopra nas fragas

  ➔ Present tense verb usage.

  ➔ The verb "sopra" is in the present tense, indicating an action that is currently happening.

• E o Tejo baila com as vagas

  ➔ Conjunction usage.

  ➔ The conjunction "E" connects two clauses, indicating a relationship between them.

• Quando há norte pela proa

  ➔ Adverbial clause of time.

  ➔ The phrase "Quando há norte" introduces a time condition for the action that follows.

• Se algum barco te abalroa

  ➔ Conditional clause.

  ➔ The clause "Se algum barco te abalroa" sets a condition for the outcome that follows.

• Nunca mais voltas ao cais

  ➔ Future tense implication.

  ➔ The phrase "Nunca mais voltas" implies a future action that will not happen.

• Como dizia o meu avô

  ➔ Reported speech.

  ➔ The phrase "Como dizia" introduces a quote or saying from someone else, in this case, the speaker's grandfather.